Stegastes leucostictus

Behavior:

Like numerous other species of damselfish, beaugregory damselfish tend small gardens of algae. Males use their garden to attract a mate, who will lay her eggs in the male’s territory. He will defend them aggressively until they hatch, often against bluehead wrasses. This species is found throughout the Caribbean, from Brazil to northern Florida. They feed on algae, sponges and anemones. They tend to inhabit shallower water than other damselfishes.

Predators:

Grouper and jacks.

Did you know?

The scientific name Stegastes leucostictus, means white spot damselfish, referring to numerous white dots that are seen below the dorsal fin of some individuals. These spots are sometimes blue, however, and often absent entirely. The bast way to identify a beaugregory damselfish is to look for the black dot that is often located on the dorsal fin.