South Seas Demoiselle, Chrysiptera taupo (Jordan & Seale, 1906)

Scientific name: Chrysiptera taupo
Alternative name/s:
Fiji Damsel, South Seas Devil
South Seas Demoiselle, <i>Chrysiptera taupo</i> Click to enlarge image
A South Seas Demoiselle at Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, June 2009. Image: John Pogonoski
© John Pogonoski

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chrysiptera
    Species
    taupo
    Family
    Pomacentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    8.5 cm

Introduction

The South Seas Demoiselle is a brightly coloured species that lives in tropical waters of the south-west Pacific.

Identification

The species is bright blue with scattered white spots. The fins and belly are yellow.

Habitat

Tropical coral reefs and inshore areas.

Distribution

South Seas Demoiselles occur in tropical waters of the south-west Pacific. In Australia the species is known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.