Dusky Gregory, Stegastes nigricans (Lacépède, 1802)

Scientific name: Stegastes nigricans
Dusky Gregory, Stegastes nigricans Click to enlarge image
Dusky Gregory, Stegastes nigricans Image: J. E. Randall
© CC BY-NC-SA

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Stegastes
    Species
    nigricans
    Family
    Pomacentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 15 cm in length.

Introduction

The video shows male Dusky Gregorys in courtship colouration.

Identification

The species is usually brownish, sometimes with lavender markings on the head. There is usually a black spot posteriorly on the base of the soft dorsal fin.

Habitat

At depths of 1 m to 12 m, in lagoons and inshore waters often among the branches of dead staghorn coral.

Distribution

The species occurs from the western Indian Ocean to the Central Pacific.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.