TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Pomacentridae (Damselfishes)

Genus/species: Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith 4020282794_5437a61f15_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Gray-blue or gray on sides with black spots on rear of body. Length about 30 cm or 12 inches.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Monterey Bay to central Baja California, most common from Pt. Conception south. Habitat: Large schools of hundreds of individuals are common during the day above nearshore rocky reefs to 45 m or 150 feet. Shelters night on or near crevices, again often in large groups.

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton (copepods and other crustacean larvae and eggs).

REPRODUCTION: Males prepare nest sites in overhangs or small caves of reefs, and guard eggs. Females oviparous. Spawn summer or fall.

PREDATORS: Other fishes (including kelp bass, moray eels, and lingcod), marine mammals (harbor seals, California sea lions), and birds.

REMARKS: Turns until it is perpendicular to the ground. Senorita fish will then commence cleaning the blacksmith. Not only does the senorita get a meal, but the blacksmith gets groomed in this symbiotic relationship.

3399374199_3ffcf124b8_b

Southern California Kelp Forest CC14

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