giant damselfish

Microspathodon dorsalis

Even divers are driven from defended territories

Tropical
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Pacific Ocean
South America
Deep-bodied
Compressed cross-section
Medium
Tropical fish

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.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Blennies and Allies
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Microspathodon
Maximum length: 31 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: deep_bodied
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: central Gulf of California to Malpelo Island (Colombia), including the Revillagigedo, Cocos and the Galapagos islands (Ref. 9334 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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