underwater photography of great white sharks, dolphins, divers and other marine life by Stephen Brunson
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Cocoa Damselfish: Pomacentrus variabilis
There are 235 species within the damselfish family. This includes 26 species of the clownfish or anemone fish which lives near anemones for protection. The damselfish are known for being aggressive and territorial, often chasing away fish much larger than themselves. They are also very aggressive toward divers when they come near the fish's territory to take a photograph, or just observe. It is the male, not the female, that tends the 20,000 eggs of the damselfish, protecting them for the 3 - 7 days of incubation; even picking out dead eggs which could threaten the rest, and defending the batch against larger predators. I took this photo in the bay islands of Roatan. I was focusing on the azure vase coral, fire coral and the yellow sponge, when the cocoa damselfish swam right in front of the camera as I snapped the shutter release.
The damselfish are known for being aggressive and territorial, often  chasing away fish much larger than themselves. They are also very aggressive toward divers when they come near the fish's territory to take a photograph, or just observe. It is the male, not the female, that tends the 20,000 eggs of the damselfish, protecting them for the 3 - 7 days of incubation; even picking out dead eggs which could threaten the rest, and defending the batch against larger predators.
Print Number - TF017
Limited Edition signed color photography for sale by Stephen Brunson

Cocoa Damselfish, Pomacentrus variabilis Statistics:

Size:               Up to Seven Inches in Length
Lifespan:         Up to 18 Yrs in captivity; less in the wild
Habitat:           Reefs in shallow water or offshore
Diet:               Algae, organic detritus, and certain corals
Distribution:    Ranges from Florida to Brazil, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the West Indies
Habit:             Agressive and Territorial

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