Description:

Dorsal spines: 12; Dorsal rays: 15-17; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 12-13.

Relative small damselfish. Generally brown with pale crossbar often missing in mature specimens, and dark spot at base of soft dorsal fin. Upper caudal lobe frequently pale and dark spot at upper base of pectoral fins. Juveniles paler coloured to yellow with distinct white cross bar. Large dark yellow-edged spot at base of dorsal rays. Small dark spot at dorsal origin of Caudal peduncle. Leading edge of anal fin dark.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 12 cm TL.

Inhabits rocky shores and reef flats exposed to wave action (depth 0-6m). Juveniles often occur in pockets of the intertidal reef crest and seek shelter in holes and crevices. Adults are found in ridges between surge channels. Feed on benthic algae. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. Diurnal species.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not caught in the artisanal fishery.

The juvenile photographed here was only some 3cm long, it was occupying a small area of habitat with several crevices where it sought cover on a granite reef at 1-2m depth. It was observed to repeatedly display aggressive behaviour towards species of Chaetodontidae that encroached on its “territory”.

Bray, D.J. Plectroglyphidodon leucozonus in Fishes of Australia, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/373 (11/06/20).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2020. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5713 (11/06/20).

Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Seychelles Seatizens. Plectroglyphidodon leucozonus. https://seatizens.sc/species/plectroglyphidodon-leucozonus-bleeker-1859/