×

Species Details

Details of Threespot dascyllus will be displayed below

Threespot dascyllu...   

Common Name: Threespot humbug, Domino damselfish, Whitespot humbug
Scientific Name: Dascyllus trimaculatus
Local Name: kalhu muraka mas
Dhivehi Name: ކަޅުމުރަކަ މަސް
Animalia  (Kingdom)
Chordata  (Plylum)
Teleostei  (Class)
Perciformes  (Order)
Pomacentridae  (Family)
Dascyllus   (Genus)

Threespot dascyllus's description

The threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus), is a species of damselfish from the family Pomacentridae.

Short description - Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. Juveniles overall black with scale centers bluish; white blotch on forehead and upper sides; all fins black except the transparent pectoral and outer portion of soft dorsal rays. Geographic and behavioral color of adults variable; no spot on forehead; spot on upper sides very reduced; head and fins normally black; scales with black margins. Margins of preorbital, suborbital and preoperculum finely serrated. Nuptial fish generally paler color. Body depth 1.4-1.6 in SL.

Max length : 14.0 cm TL male/unsexed.

Threespot dascyllus's Behavior & Ecology

Adults inhabit coral and rocky reefs, juveniles often commensal with large sea anemones, sea urchins, or small coral heads. They occur in small to large aggregations.

Threespot dascyllus's Feeding

Stomach contents include algae, copepods, and other planktonic crustacean.

Threespot dascyllus's Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. Courtship characterized by male 'signal-jumping'. Captive pair reported to spawn thrice monthly with a total of 17 over a 7-month period. While protogyny was originally proposed for this species, recent studies confirmed gonochorism in the form of non-functional hermaphroditism.

Threespot dascyllus habitat

This species inhabits subtidal areas of mangroves, lagoons, and rocky and coral reefs (Fricke et al. 2009; 2014; 2019; Allen and Erdmann 2012; Gajdzik et al. 2016; Arndt and Fricke 2019). It has a close association with branching corals (i.e., Acropora pulchra; Coker et al. 2014). Juveniles often form commensal relationships with large sea anemones, urchins, or small coral heads (Fricke et al. 2009; 2014; 2019; Allen and Erdmann 2012). It consumes algae, zooplankton and benthic invertebrates (Rüppell 1829, Frédérich et al. 2009).

It is a demersal spawner. Males prepare nest sites by removing debris from the substrate and guard the nest from other fishes. Males also perform courtship displays by signal jumping and sound production to attract females (Parmentier et al. 2009). A captive pair has been reported to spawn thrice monthly with a total of 17 spawns over a 7-month period (Garnaud 1957). Fecundity has been approximated at 12,000 to 15,000 eggs in a single spawning event. It has been successfully bred and reared in captivity with an average survival rate of 10-15% (Gopakumar et al. 2009). The maximum total length is 14 cm (Allen and Erdmann 2012).

 

Threespot dascyllus threats

This species is likely locally impacted by exploitation for the aquarium trade and for food (e.g., Shuman et al. 2005), as well as by the destruction of its habitat (corals) during collection processes (Gopakumar 2004, Thornhill 2012). Though there have been significant coral declines in its distribution, this species is not an obligate coral dweller, preferring high relief habitat.

Threespot dascyllus's status