Banded Humbug, Dascyllus aruanus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scientific name: Dascyllus aruanus
Alternative name/s:
Humbug, Humbug Dascyllus, White-tailed Footballer
Banded Humbug, Dascyllus aruanus Click to enlarge image
A Banded Humbug at Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, June 2009. Image: John Pogonoski
© John Pogonoski

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Dascyllus
    Species
    aruanus
    Family
    Pomacentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 8.5 cm in length.

Introduction

Aggregations of Banded Humbugs often seek shelter between the branches of coral. The species is commonly seen by divers.

Identification

The species is distinctively barred in black and white. The snout and tail are both white.

Banded Humbug, Dascyllus aruanus

Banded Humbug, Dascyllus aruanus

Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Habitat

The species lives in coral reef and inshore waters at depths between 1 m and 12 m.

Distribution

Banded Humbugs occur widely throughout the Indo-west and 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. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific. University of Hawai'i Press. Pp. 707.