Bumphead damselfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bumphead damselfish |
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The bumphead damselfish (also known as Microspathodon bairdii) is a cool type of ray-finned fish. It belongs to the Pomacentridae family, which includes many colorful damselfish. You can find this fish swimming in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
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What Does the Bumphead Damselfish Look Like?
The bumphead damselfish is a fairly big fish for a damselfish, growing up to about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. Adults are usually dark brown or black. They have cool purple eyes and a noticeable bump on their foreheads, which is how they got their name! Younger fish, called juveniles, look quite different. They are bright blue on their backs and have orange or yellow colors on their bellies.
Where Does the Bumphead Damselfish Live?
This fish lives only in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Its home stretches from the mouth of the Gulf of California in Mexico all the way south to Ecuador. You can also find them around several islands. These include the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island, and the famous Galapagos Islands.
Home and Habits of the Bumphead Damselfish
The bumphead damselfish loves to live on rocky reefs near the coast. These are places where waves and currents are strong. They usually stay in shallow waters, up to about 15 meters (50 feet) deep. You'll often spot them near large rocks in these areas. For example, in the Gulf of Chiriquí in Panamá, they live among huge corals and exposed rocky reefs. These fish mainly eat algae, which makes them herbivores. However, they will also eat small bits of meat if they find it. When it's time to breed, male and female bumphead damselfish form pairs. The female lays her eggs in cracks in the rocks. They choose spots with strong currents, usually on the side of the rock that is protected from the main flow. The male fish then guards the eggs and makes sure they get enough oxygen.
Why Is It Called "Bairdii"?
The scientist who first described this fish, T.N. Gill, named it "bairdii." It's thought that he named it after Spencer Fullerton Baird. Spencer Baird was in charge of the United States National Museum. This museum is where the very first example of this fish, called the type specimen, is kept.
