Mecaenichthys immaculatus

Immaculate damsel
Mecaenichthys immaculatus
Mecaenichthys immaculatus, adult, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Photo: Ian Shaw
Mecaenichthys immaculatus
Mecaenichthys immaculatus, juvenile, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Photo: Ian Shaw
Mecaenichthys immaculatus
Mecaenichthys immaculatus, Port Stephens, NSW, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
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Mecaenichthys immaculatus
Mecaenichthys immaculatus
Mecaenichthys immaculatus

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Slightly pointed head profile, the blue tinge to the body, and the blue margin to the tail. It is closely related to the scalyfins (Parma), and similarly has juveniles that are predominantly yellow with neon blue stripes.


Information

Max Size: 12 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 15.3-24.6°C

Depth: 1-30m

Habitat Generalization Index: 14.07

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Widespread (52.7% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Few (3 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney