The Scissortail Damselfish, scientifically known as Azurina atrilobata, is a captivating marine fish that showcases striking features and unique behavioral patterns. It’s a member of the Pomacentridae family, commonly known as damselfishes, which are characterized by their bright colors and territorial tendencies.
Description & Characteristics
The Azurina atrilobata is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 13.4 cm. Its body is elongated and compressed laterally, displaying a vibrant blue-green coloration. It possesses a distinctive feature – its long, trailing caudal fin that resembles a pair of scissors, giving it its common name. This fish has a relatively long lifespan, often living for several years in the wild.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Scissortail Damselfish can be found in a wide range of marine habitats, from the shallows of the subtidal zone to the deeper reaches of the infralittoral zone, with its distribution extending down to the neritic zone, which encompasses the shelf edge at approximately 200 m depth. This species is typically found within a depth range of 6.0 to 80.0 meters. Its presence in these various zones highlights its adaptability to different environmental conditions.
Taxonomy
The Scissortail Damselfish, Azurina atrilobata, is categorized within the Class Teleostei, which represents a vast group of ray-finned fishes. It further belongs to the Order Ovalentaria incertae sedis, a group of fishes with uncertain phylogenetic relationships, and is classified within the Family Pomacentridae, the damselfishes, known for their vibrant colors and territorial behaviors.
Feeding
The Azurina atrilobata is an omnivorous feeder, with its diet consisting of a varied combination of crustaceans like amphipods and brine shrimps, and commercially available food items like flakes, pellets, frozen food (both large and small sorts), and mysis. This adaptability in its feeding habits allows it to thrive in diverse environments and readily access available food sources.
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