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Yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura) — Pomacentridae

Yellowtail reeffish

Chromis enchrysura
Family: Pomacentridae

The Yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; from Florida and Bermuda to southern Brazil; deeper rocky and coral reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The yellowtail reeffish is a small damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a blue-grey body with a conspicuous yellow tail and rear body. It lives on deeper rocky and coral reefs, often along steep edges, staying in small groups just above the bottom. As a plankton feeder it picks zooplankton from the water column. In spawning the male guards the adhesive eggs laid on the bottom. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowtail reeffish?

The Yellowtail reeffish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Blue-grey with a striking yellow tail; plankton-picking reef damselfish of deeper reefs.

Where does the Yellowtail reeffish live?

The Yellowtail reeffish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; from Florida and Bermuda to southern Brazil; deeper rocky and coral reefs.

How big does the Yellowtail reeffish get?

The Yellowtail reeffish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Yellowtail reeffish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowtail reeffish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowtail reeffish edible?

The Yellowtail reeffish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — D. Weaver, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Public domain)
Yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jaime Eduardo García Zúñiga, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Yellowtail reeffish (Chromis enchrysura) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Andrew David, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC Panama City; Lance Horn, UNCW/NURC - Phantom II ROV operator. (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowtail reeffish sourced
Scientific name
Chromis enchrysura
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Caribbean chromis; Yellowtail chromis

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
10 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; from Florida and Bermuda to southern Brazil; deeper rocky and coral reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Blue-grey with a striking yellow tail; plankton-picking reef damselfish of deeper reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chromis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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