Fusilier damselfish
{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Distinguish|text = Caesionidae, the fusiliers}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Lepidozygus tapeinosoma 15700694.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| grandparent_authority = Allen, 1975
| parent_authority = Günther, 1862
| taxon = Lepidozygus tapeinosoma
| display_parents = 3
| authority = (Bleeker, 1856){{Cof record|spid=20471|title=Pomacentrus tapeinosoma|access-date=3 October 2018}}
| synonyms = *Pomacentrus tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1856
- Lepidozygus anthioides J.L.B. Smith, 1956
}}
The fusilier damselfish (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma) is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. It found in the Indo-Pacific.{{FishBase|genus=Lepidozygus|species=tapeinosoma|month=June|year=2018}} They are found in the aquarium hobby. Adults can grow up to a maximum length of up to {{convert|10.5|cm|in}}. It is the only species in the monotypic genus, Lepidozygus which sits in its own subfamily, the Lepidozyginae.{{cite book |title=Fishes of the World |edition=5th |author1=J. S. Nelson |author2=T. C. Grande |author3=M. V. H. Wilson |year=2016 |pages=752 |publisher=Wiley |ISBN=978-1-118-34233-6 |url=https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |access-date=2018-10-03 |archive-date=2019-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408194051/https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |url-status=dead }}
Distribution and habitat
They are found in the Indo-Pacific. Populations in the Indian Ocean are found in eastern Africa, the Gulf of Aden, Oman, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, and Australia. In the Pacific Ocean, they are found in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, various Pacific islands throughout to Hawaii, the Gulf of California south to northern Peru. It is found at depths of {{convert|1 to 30|m|ft}}. This fish is found in coral reefs and lagoons. They live in tropical waters.
Description
Adults can grow up to {{convert|10.5|cm|in}} at maximum length. They have 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 15 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 15 to 16 anal soft rays on their fins. Coloration of this fish can change a lot. It depends on its behavior.[http://eol.org/pages/994439/overview "Lepidozygus tapeinosoma Overview"] Encyclopedia of Life Retrieved on December 25, 2014 When it feeds, it turns silvery green. It darkens when resting. In the Maldives, adults guarding their eggs have a banded pattern.
File:Lepidozygus tapeinosoma 43083334.jpg|In Moazambique
File:Lepidozygus tapeinosoma 114765809.jpg|In Fiji
Ecology
=Diet=
This fish feeds on zooplankton.
=Behavior=
This fish changes its color depending on what it is doing. They form aggregations.
In the aquarium
This fish is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. They can be kept in groups, and They are very peaceful. Behavior is similar to Anthias, but they are not as delicate. The Fussiler damselfish will flash red and green colors when feeding. Unlike many other shoaling fish, the fusilier damsels will not single out and focus aggression on the weakest individual. The fussiler damselfish is a social animal and does best when kept with others of the same species. A fast swimming fish that will readily eat most any foods offered.
References
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