Giant Damselfish

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).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 13 - 14

Inhabits rocky reefs, below the surf zone (Ref. 9334). Feeds mainly on low-profile, attached algae (Ref. 28023). Defends both feeding and reproductive territories by driving off other fishes and divers who come too close (Ref. 28023). Territorial herbivore that feeds on farmed turf-algae within their territories (Ref. 57615); and depends on a delicate, nutritionally rich food resource exhibiting low standing crop but very high productivity, example is red alga, Polysiphonia sp. (Ref. 56916).

Adults inhabit rocky reefs, below the surf zone (Ref. 9334). Feed mainly on low-profile, attached algae (Ref. 28023). Defend both feeding and reproductive territories by driving off other fishes and divers who come too close (Ref. 28023). 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).

The giant damselfish (Microspathodon dorsalis) inhabit rocky reefs, below the surf zone at depths of 1–25 m. They feed mainly on low-profile, attached algae. They defend both feeding and reproductive territories by driving off other fishes and divers who come too close. They are oviparous, and form distinct pairings during breeding. The eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs.