Staghorn Damsel

Amblyglyphidodon curacao is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae, the damselfishes and the clownfishes. It's widespread throughout the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean.

Description

This species is a small sized fish that can reach a maximum size of 11 cm length. It has a greenish to yellowish body with three broad greyish bars on sides. Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15.

Distribution

Western Pacific: Rowley Shoals (eastern Indian Ocean) and Malaysia to Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Habitat

Adults inhabit lagoons, coastal embayments, reef passages and outer reefs. Juveniles often found among Sarcophyton and Sinularia soft corals. Feeding aggregations are frequently observed over growths of the staghorn coral Acropora. Feed on zooplankton and filamentous algae. The stomach contents of a specimen included larval crabs and shrimps, fish eggs, and algae. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Dead coral branches serve as nests. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs.