Chrysiptera taupou
South Seas Devil
©NPS photo by Paul Brown
©Mark Rosenstein
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Pomacentridae
Genus
Chrysiptera
Species
Chrysiptera taupou
Colours
Distinguishing features
Distinguishing features still need to be specified.
Size
- Up to 8 cm (Total length)
Depth range
- Up to 10 m
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
Neon Damsel (species: Pomacentrus coelestis)
There are a few things to look for to separate these. Given a side view of a relaxed fish, Pomacentrus coelestis have a longer, more oval body shape than Chrysiptera taupou, which have a shorter body and a pointier snout. Most Chrysiptera, including Chrysiptera taupou, show a dark line from the tip of the snout through the eye, and some speckling of other colors on the body. Pomacentrus coelestis has a smoother, less marked blue. The pale belly and yellowish tails in this photo could be either species. Chrysiptera taupou males have yellow bellies, but females often have pale white bellies instead. There are two field marks specific to Chrysiptera taupou to look for: a small black spot at the rear end of the dorsal fin, and a pale saddle on the tail base. (Thanks to Mark Rosenstein)
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Adults inhabit lagoon and offshore coral reefs. (Fishbase)
