Yellowtail damselfish
Microspathodon chrysurus
(Cuvier, 1830)
Description:
Body laterally flattened, oval in profile, varying in color from brown to bluish black, with a yellow tail. Head, back and dorsal fin with bright blue speckles.
Juveniles dark blue with a translucent to whitish tail, changes to yellow with maturity. Brilliant blue dots over the body and fins (M. chrysurus juvenile).
Size up to 21 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabits very shallow waters of coral reefs, usually near the top of the outer edge where there are caves, holes and fire corals. Most common between 3 and 12 m. Feeds primarily on algae, but also on polyps of fire corals and other invertebrates. Juveniles occasionally pick parasites from other fish. Territorial, but they do not defend their domain aggressively.
Distribution:
Common Florida and Bahamas and Caribbean.