Coral Sea Gregory, Stegastes gascoynei (Whitley, 1964)

Scientific name: Stegastes gascoynei
Alternative name/s:
Gold-belly Gregory
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    22/02/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Coral Sea Gregory, Stegastes gascoynei Click to enlarge image
A Coral Sea Gregory at a depth of 8 m, Erscott's Hole North, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, 28 December 2008 Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Stegastes
    Species
    gascoynei
    Family
    Pomacentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 15 cm in length.

Introduction

The Coral Sea Gregory can be recognised by its colouration. It occurs on inshore coral and rocky reefs in tropical and some temperate waters.

Identification

The Coral Sea Gregory can be recognised by its colouration. It is brown with dark scale margins that form lines on the body. The belly and anal fin are orange-yellow.

Distribution

The species occurs on inshore coral and rocky reefs in tropical and some temperate waters of eastern Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

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.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Mergus. Pp. 271.
  2. Allen, G.R. & A.R. Emery. 1985. A review of the pomacentrid fishes of the genus Stegastes from the Indo-Pacific, with descriptions of two new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes. 3:1-31.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.