Related FAQs: Stegastes, Damsel Identification, Damsel Selection, Damsel Compatibility, Damsel Feeding, Damsel Disease,  Damsel Reproduction, Related Articles: The family Pomacentridae, the Damselfishes,  /A Diversity of Aquatic Life  Genus Stegastes Damselfishes To: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
By Bob Fenner	Stegastes fasciolatus

Species/Notes of Interest To Aquarists:

This genus (now including Eupomacentrus) of some thirty four species, includes the feisty Gregory's and other mainly shallow reef Damsels, that live solitarily... about rocks and caves in the sand they dig.

Stegastes acapulcoensis (Fowler 1944), the Acapulco Major. Eastern Pacific; Baja California to Peru. Note, small orange-brown border on top of dorsal fin in juveniles. To five and a half inches in length. To variably brown/tan adults from gorgeous blue juveniles. Shown, one inch specimen off Costa Rica (Pacific side) 2011

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Stegastes apicalis De Vis 1885, the Australian Gregory. Western Pacific, east coast of Australia. To six inches maximum length. The four inch individual pictured photographed on Australia's GBR off Heron Island.

Stegastes arcifrons (Heller & Snodgrass 1903), the Island Major. Good looking and... quite a bonus, a known Aiptasia eater! To 13 cm. Eastern Pacific: Costa Rica and from Cocos, Malpelo and Galapagos islands in shallow, rocky shores. Typical for genus, this is a territorial species that is constantly looking for, if not driving off members of its own and often, other fish species. Feeds on algae and small invertebrates, including tubeworms and anemone tentacles. Intermediate and adult individuals in the Galapagos. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=12510&genusname=Stegastes&speciesname=arcifrons

Stegastes beebei (Nichols 1924), the Southern Whitetail Major or Galapagos Ringtail Damselfish. Eastern Pacific, Panama to Galapagos. To six inches maximum length. Juvenile, intermediate and adult photo in the Galapagos.

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Stegastes diencaeus (Jordan & Rutter 1897), the Longfin Damsel. Tropical west Atlantic. To five inches in length. Of three similar TWA juv. damsel spp., this one has a blue dorsal fin spot surrounded by yellow; not a bluish face. Adults w/ longer rear anal and dorsal fins than caudal peduncle; bright blue lower edge on anal fin. Occasionally imported and sold as juveniles. Adults an overall brown with dark margins on all scales. Juvenile in the Bahamas; a bit more mature and adult in St. Thomas.

Verticals (Full/Cover Page Sizes Available)

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To: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4