Chromis insolata
Sunshinefish
Collection Details
Specimens
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Perciformes (Perciformes, Also Called the Acanthopteri)
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes)
Chromis
Chromis insolata (Sunshinefish)
Description
This species account was compiled from
Composite (multiple sources) (McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. University of Texas Press, Austin.)
and processed using AI-assisted text extraction.
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Characters
Several spines projecting from upper and lower margins of caudal peduncle. Lachrymal bone above mouth is not notched. Jaw teeth are conical and arranged in two rows. Preopercular margin is entire. Gill rakers on first arch are long and slender and number 19 to 22 on lower limb. Measurements are expressed as percent of SL: head length 29%–31%, snout length 6%–8%, eye diameter 10%–12%, upper jaw length 7%–9%, pectoral fin length 30%–35%, body depth 45%–52%. Pectoral fin has 16 to 18 rays. Dorsal fin has 13 spines and 12 (rarely 11) rays. Anal fin has 11 (rarely 12) rays. Caudal fin is forked. Lateral line scales number 15 to 17 (usually 16). Preorbital scales number 5 to 10. Cheek has three major rows of scales and a series of six or seven accessory scales to upper row. Pectoral fin is scaled over most of length. Scales extend onto medial half of dorsal and anal fin.
Color in life is dull olive green dorsally and dull cream or gray ventrally, usually with a large dark spot on upper base of pectoral fin. Juveniles are lime yellow dorsally and gray ventrally. Color in preservative is yellow brown dorsally and light gray ventrally.
Distribution
Shallow water in the western and Central Atlantic from southern Florida and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, the Lesser Antilles, and St. Helena.
In the Gulf of Mexico it is known from southwestern Florida, Stetsons Bank off Texas, and Campeche Bay.
Habitat Associations
Associated with coral reefs
Biology
Food consists of copepods, ostracods, shrimp larvae, pelagic tunicates, and zooplankton.
Maximum known size is 125 mm SL.
Adults inhabit outer and seaward reefs. Feeds on plankton (Ref. 5521). Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets (Ref. 5217). 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).
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; guarders (nesters); parental care: paternal. 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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2010-11-15. Resilience: High (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial.
References
Böhlke and Chaplin 1968
Emery 1968
Emery 1973
Smith et al. 1975
Hoese and Moore 1977
Hoese and Moore 1998
Robins and Ray 1986
Allen 1991
Boschung 1992
Smith 1997
Smith-Vaniz et al. 1999
Carter 2002
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Allen, G.R. (1991) Damselfishes of the world. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany. 271 p.
Randall, J.E. (1996) Caribbean reef fishes. Third Edition - revised and enlarged. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd., Hong Kong. 3nd ed. 368 p.
Comments On Chromis insolata