Giant damselfish

Giant damselfish
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Microspathodon
Species:
M. dorsalis
Binomial name
Microspathodon dorsalis
(Gill, 1862)
Synonyms
  • Hypsypops dorsalis Gill, 1862
  • Microspathodon azurissimus Jordan & Starks, 1895
  • Microspathodon cinereus Gilbert, 1890
  • Pomacentrus quadrigutta Gill, 1862

The giant damselfish (Microspathodon dorsalis) is a species of fish that inhabits rocky reefs below the surf zone at depths of 1–25 m. It mainly feeds on low-profile, attached algae. Giant damselfish defend both feeding and reproductive territories by driving off other fishes and divers who come too close. They are oviparous, and form distinct pairings during breeding. The eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs.

Juvenile
Adult