Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish
ExploreFish
Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish
stegastes xanthurus
The Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish is a colorful little fish that loves to swim around coral reefs! It is friendly and often seen playing with other fish in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Habitat: Warm coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea.
Appearance
The Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish is a striking fish with a dark, often brownish-black body sharply contrasted by a bright yellow tail fin. It sometimes features a faint pale bar just behind its head, making it visually distinct from other reef dwellers.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyPomacentridaeGenusStegastes
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each fish stakes out its own tiny patch of reef.
Males guard eggs by fanning them until they hatch.
Their tiny, sharp teeth are perfect for scraping algae.
They 'talk' to each other using clicking sounds!
Special abilities
Ability
Territory Titan
Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish can fiercely guard its small patch of coral reef because it needs a safe home and a place to grow its food.
Ability
Garden Grower
Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish can 'farm' algae by carefully weeding out unwanted types, ensuring a constant food supply in its territory.
Ability
Color Changer
Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish can subtly shift its body color from light to dark because this helps it blend into its surroundings or express its mood.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 8-12 cm
- Weight
- 0.03-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Swim Speed
- 8 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 10 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
They munch on tiny plants and critters found on the reef to stay healthy.
Primary Foods
- algae
- copepods
- amphipods
- small marine worms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Nassau Grouper
Epinephelus striatus
A common predator in their reef habitat.
eaten by
Grey Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
These larger fish hunt damselfish on the reef.
shelters
Mustard Hill Coral
Porites astreoides
Often hides within the branches of various hard corals.
shelters
Turtle Grass
Thalassia testudinum
Juveniles often hide among seagrass blades.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Cocoa DamselfishCocoa FishYellowtail Damselfish
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish?
8-12 cm
How much does Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish weigh?
0.03-0.08 kg
How long does Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish live?
3-5 years
What does Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish eat?
They munch on tiny plants and critters found on the reef to stay healthy.
How fast can Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish swim?
8 km/h
Where is Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish usually found?
Warm coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea.
How does Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish go?
10 m
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