Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Chromis Higher classification Chromis | Phylum Chordata Family Pomacentridae Scientific name Chromis punctipinnis Rank Species | |
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Similar Chromis, Oxyjulis californica, Pomacentridae, Garibaldi, Girella nigricans | ||
Blacksmith fish chromis punctipinnis
The blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis), also known as the blacksmith chromis and blacksmith damselfish, is a fish in the damselfish family. It is native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean, where it range is from Monterey Bay, California, USA, to central Baja California, Mexico. This small fish is associated with rocky reefs and kelp forests.
Contents
- Blacksmith fish chromis punctipinnis
- School of planktivore blacksmith chromis punctipinnis pin rock catalina island
- Description
- Habitat
- Diet
- Behaviour
- Reproduction
- References
School of planktivore blacksmith chromis punctipinnis pin rock catalina island
Description
The blacksmith can reach 25 centimetres (10 in) in length. It is blue-black in color with small black spots towards the tail. The scales are large. The tail is forked. The juvenile is two-toned with a blue-grey front and a brownish-orange rear.
Habitat
The fish lives at depths up to 46 metres (151 ft), usually close to the sea floor, over rocks, or on slopes. It also inhabits kelp forests.
Diet
The diet includes marine algae and zooplankton.
Behaviour
The blacksmith rests in rocky crevices during the night. It is known to be territorial, and, although small, it acts aggressively toward other fish. Juveniles are pelagic and form schools. The blacksmith is symbiotic with the señorita. When it feels that it is starting to deteriorate in hygiene it will turn until it is perpendicular to the ground, allowing the señorita to clean it.
Reproduction
The blacksmith spawns during summer and autumn. The male cleans a nesting site, then herds a female to it. After spawning, the male guards the eggs until they hatch.
