Whitebar Gregory

Stegastes albifasciatus

The Whitebar Gregory is a damselfish found in the western Indo-Pacific, including areas from the Seychelles and Réunion to the Ryukyu Islands, Tuamoto Islands, and New Caledonia. This species prefers habitats such as reef flats, reef margins, and lagoons, often near rubble or reef rock with live corals. It thrives in shallow waters, typically between 0 and 4 meters deep, and does not migrate. This fish is easily recognized by its dark brown to blackish coloration, with blue spots on the side of its head and blue streaks across its scales. Its fins are similarly dark, except for the pectoral fins which are translucent with dusky rays. A noticeable black spot can be found at the base of the uppermost pectoral rays, and another near the posterior dorsal rays, sometimes bordered with white. The Whitebar Gregory is a territorial herbivore, feeding mainly on filamentous algae. During breeding, males play an active role by guarding and aerating the eggs, which are laid on the substrate. The species is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers may observe this fish in small groups, often in areas with mild water movement.