Summary ²

The giant damselfish (Microspathodon dorsalis) inhabit rocky reefs, below the surf zone at depths of 1–25 m. They feed mainly on low-profile, attached algae. They 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.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Cullen Hanks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cullen Hanks
2. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microspathodon_dorsalis

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
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• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• VertNet
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