Chromis scotti
Purple Reeffish
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Perciformes (Perciformes, Also Called the Acanthopteri)
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes)
Chromis
Chromis scotti (Purple Reeffish)
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 not notched; jaw teeth conical and arranged in two rows; preopercular margin finely serrated; gill rakers on first arch long and slender, 18 to 20 on lower limb; measurements (% SL): head length 29%–34%, snout length about 8%, eye diameter 10%–14%, upper jaw length 8%–9%, pectoral fin length 31%–36%, body depth 51%–56%; pectoral fin rays 17 to 19 (usually 18); dorsal fin XIII, 11 or 12 (usually 12); anal fin II, 11 or 12 (usually 12); caudal fin forked; lateral line scales 15 to 18 (usually 17); preorbital scales 5 or 6; cheek with three major rows of scales and 3 to 7 (usually 4) accessory scales; pectoral fin scaled over most of length; scales extend onto medial half of dorsal and anal fin
Color in life dark blue with magenta tinge and bright blue spots on anterior part of body; juveniles countershaded; color in preservative dark brown in adults and light brown in juveniles
Distribution
Western Atlantic from North Carolina and Bermuda to northeastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and Jamaica
In the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida and Alabama coasts, on the Flower Garden Banks, and in Campeche Bay
Habitat Associations
Steep outer reef slopes and patch reefs; depth range 5-50 m
Biology
Zooplankton, copepods, and pelagic tunicates
Maximum known size 70 mm SL
Adults occur in steep outer slopes and deeper patch reefs (Ref. 7247). 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
Emery 1968
Emery 1973
Randall 1968a
Randall 1996
Bright and Cashman 1974
Hensley and Smith 1977
Hoese and Moore 1977
Hoese and Moore 1998
Emery and Smith-Vaniz 1982
Robins and Ray 1986
Allen 1991
Boschung 1992
Schaldach et al. 1997
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.
Lieske, E. and R. Myers (1994) Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 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.
Pattengill, C.V., B.X. Semmens and S.R. Gittings (1997) Reef fish trophic structure at the Flower Gardens and Stetson Bank, NW Gulf of Mexico. Proc. 8th Int. Coral Reef Sym. 1:1023-1028.
Comments On Chromis scotti