Pacific Bronze Chromis, Chromis pacifica Allen & Erdmann 2020
Other Names: Agile Chromis, Agile Damsel, Bronze Reef Chromis, Reef Chromis, Reef Puller, Rusty Chromis
A Pacific Bronze Chromis, Chromis pacifica, at the Potholes, Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. Source: Graham Edgar / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution
Summary:
A yellowish brown puller, with a prominent round, blackish spot covering entire base and axil of the pectoral fin, typically greyish to purplish stripes along the scale rows, brownish dorsal and anal fins with a dark-brown triangular marking posteriorly, a yellowish caudal fin, and often purplish lips.
In Australia, this damselfish was previously known as Chromis agilis, a species which occurs in the western and central Indian Ocean.
Video of a Reef Puller (Chromis pacifica) at Puako, Hawaii.
In Australia, this damselfish was previously known as Chromis agilis, a species which occurs in the western and central Indian Ocean.
Video of a Reef Puller (Chromis pacifica) at Puako, Hawaii.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2021, Chromis pacifica in Fishes of Australia, accessed 09 Oct 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1280
Pacific Bronze Chromis, Chromis pacifica Allen & Erdmann 2020
More Info
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Distribution |
Typically occurs on the outer Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, and reefs in the Coral Sea, from about Holmes Reef to east of the Whitsunday Islands; also the Lord Howe Province in the Tasman Sea. Elsewhere the species is widespread in the tropical western-central Pacific. Usually inhabits outer reef slopes at depths to 56 m. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin XII,12–14; Anal fin II,12–14; all dorsal-fin and anal-fin soft rays branched, last to base; Pectoral fin 16–18, uppermost and lowermost two unbranched; Pelvic fin I,5; Caudal fin, principal rays 15, uppermost and lowermost unbranched; Caudal-fin spiniform rays 2, followed by two accessory segmented rays; Longitudinal scale series 27; Lateral line, tubed scales 14–17; Posterior midlateral scales with a pore or deep pit (in continuous series) 5–9 (usually 7 or 8); Scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 2.5; Scales above lateral line to base of middle dorsal-fin spine 1.5; Scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 8.5; Gill rakers 7–9 + 19–24 = 27–32; Vertebrae 11+15. Body relatively deep and ovate, depth 1.9 (1.8–2.0) in SL. |
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Feeding |
Feeds on plankton in the water column. |
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Similar Species |
Differs from the similar Chromis agilis, which occurs in the Western and central Indian Ocean, in having a larger black spot at the base of the pectoral fin, lateral greyish to purplish stripes along the scale rows, more dorsal-fin and pectoral-fin rays and lateral-line scales, and a larger size (up to 80 mm SL vs. 55 mm SL). |
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Etymology |
The specific name is from the Latin pacificus (= peaceful) in reference to its Pacific Ocean distribution. |
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Species Citation |
Chromis pacifica Allen & Erdmann 2020, Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation 35: 104, figs 1-4, 6A. Type locality: Australia, Coral Sea, Holmes Reefs, 16.4499°S, 148.0014°E, 5–8 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2021 |
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Resources |
Pacific Bronze Chromis, Chromis pacifica Allen & Erdmann 2020
References
Allen, G.R. 1975. Damselfishes of the South Seas. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 237 pp. 251 figs. (as Chromis agilis)
Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Melle, Germany : Mergus Verlag 271 pp.
Allen, G. R. 2001. Family Pomacentridae. pp. in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. (as Chromis agilis)
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2020. Chromis pacifica, a new Pacific Ocean damselfish distinct from Indian Ocean Chromis agilis (Teleostei: Pomacentridae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation 35: 102–117. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3988552
Choat, J.H., van Herwerden, L., Robbins, W.D., Hobbs, J.P. & Ayling, A.M. 2006. A report on the ecological surveys undertaken at Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, February 2006. Report by James Cook University to the Department of the Environment and Heritage. 65 pp. (as Chromis agilis)
Gill, A.C. & Reader, S.E. 1992. Fishes. pp. 90-93, 193-228 in Hutchings, P. (ed.) Reef Biology. A Survey of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, South Pacific. Canberra : Australian National Parks Vol. 3, Kowari 230 pp. (as Chromis agilis)
Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press 707 pp. (as Chromis agilis)
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. (as Chromis agilis)
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. (as Chromis agilis)
