Fusilier damselfish

Short description: Species of fish

Not to be confused with Caesionidae, the fusiliers.

Fusilier damselfish

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification
Kingdom:  | Animalia
Phylum:  | Chordata
Class:  | Actinopterygii
Family:  | Pomacentridae
Subfamily:  | Lepidozyginae
Allen, 1975
Genus:  | Lepidozygus
Günther, 1862
Species:  |

L. tapeinosoma

Binomial name
Lepidozygus tapeinosoma

(Bleeker, 1856)[2]

Synonyms

* Pomacentrus tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1856
* Lepidozygus anthioides J.L.B. Smith, 1956

The fusilier damselfish (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma) is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. It found in the Indo-Pacific.[3] They are found in the aquarium hobby. Adults can grow up to a maximum length of up to 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in). It is the only species in the monotypic genus, Lepidozygus which sits in its own subfamily, the Lepidozyginae.[4]

## Contents

* 1 Distribution and habitat
* 2 Description
* 3 Ecology
* 3.1 Diet
* 3.2 Behavior
* 4 In the aquarium
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## Distribution and habitat

They are found in the Indo-Pacific. Populations in the Indian Ocean are found in eastern Africa, the Gulf of Aden, Oman, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, and Australia.[3] In the Pacific Ocean, they are found in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, various Pacific islands throughout to Hawaii, the Gulf of California south to northern Peru.[3] It is found at depths of 1 to 30 metres (3.3 to 98.4 ft).[3] This fish is found in coral reefs and lagoons. They live in tropical waters.

## Description

Adults can grow up to 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in) at maximum length.[3] They have 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 15 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 15 to 16 anal soft rays on their fins.[3] Coloration of this fish can change a lot. It depends on its behavior.[5] When it feeds, it turns silvery green.[5] It darkens when resting.[5] In the Maldives, adults guarding their eggs have a banded pattern.[5]

* In Moazambique

* In Fiji

## Ecology

### Diet

This fish feeds on zooplankton.[3][5]

### Behavior

This fish changes its color depending on what it is doing.[5] They form aggregations.[3][5]

## In the aquarium

This fish is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. They can be kept in groups, and they are very peaceful. Behavior is similar to Anthias, but they are not as delicate. The Fusilier damselfish will flash red and green colors when feeding. Unlike many other shoaling fish, the fusilier damsels will not single out and focus aggression on the weakest individual. The Fusilier damselfish is a social animal and does best when kept with others of the same species. A fast swimming fish that will readily eat most any foods offered.

## References

1. ↑ Allen, G.R.; Arceo, H.; Mutia, M.T.M.; Muyot, F.B.; Nañola, C.L.; Santos, M. (2022). "Lepidozygus tapeinosoma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T188627A1904723.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188627/1904723. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
2. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron; van der Laan, Richard, eds. "Pomacentrus tapeinosoma". California Academy of Sciences. http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?spid=20471.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2018). "Lepidozygus tapeinosoma" in FishBase. June 2018 version.
4. ↑ J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. p. 752. ISBN 978-1-118-34233-6. https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Lepidozygus tapeinosoma Overview" Encyclopedia of Life Retrieved on December 25, 2014

## External links

* Photos of Fusilier damselfish on Sealife Collection

Wikidata ☰ Q1302652 entry

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