Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes) > Pomacentrinae
Etymology: Abudefduf: Arabic, abu = father; this fish is the leader of the reef against other species (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 5 m (Ref. 9710). Subtropical, preferred ?; 24°N - 7°S, 133°W - 62°E (Ref. 56030)
Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and the Caribbean Sea. Reported from northern South America (Ref. 5217). Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde and from Senegal to Angola.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7251); common length : 20.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3139)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 13;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 11-12;
Anal
spines: 2;
Anal
soft rays: 10. Caudal fin lobe rounded (Ref. 7247). A heavy-bodied, compressed species; tawny yellow above, paler below, with 5 or 6 dark bars wider than interspaces between them (Ref. 26938). A sixth faint bar or dark saddle-like mark may be present on upper part of caudal peduncle; a prominent black spot at upper base of pectoral fin (Ref. 13442).
Adults inhabit rocky inshore reefs. They prefer wave-cut rock ledges or limestone shorelines and tide pools in regions with surf. Feed mainly on algae but adults also consume Zoanthus and hydroids while juveniles also feed on copepods (Ref. 9626). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3139).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1991. Damselfishes of the world. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany. 271 p. (Ref. 7247)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02455 (0.01051 - 0.05734), b=3.00 (2.83 - 3.17), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 2.1 ±0.1 se; Based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100) .