Bluntsnout Gregory

Stegastes punctatus

The Bluntsnout Gregory is a damselfish known for its territorial nature, often found in the Indo-Pacific region. Divers can encounter this species in areas ranging from the Red Sea and East African coast to the Line Islands, New Caledonia, and Micronesia. It inhabits coral reefs, particularly favoring areas with dead staghorn corals, at depths of 1 to 5 meters. The fish reaches up to 13 cm in length and is characterized by a compressed body shape with 12 dorsal spines and 14 to 16 dorsal soft rays. This species is distinctly territorial, often defending its patch of filamentous algae against other herbivorous fish and even human divers. During aggressive encounters, it emits a clicking noise and may charge intruders, sometimes delivering painful nips. The Bluntsnout Gregory is herbivorous, primarily feeding on the algae that grow on the dead corals within its territory. Reproduction involves distinct pairing, with males taking on the role of guarding and aerating the eggs, which are demersal and adhere to the substrate. The IUCN has assessed the conservation status of the Bluntsnout Gregory as Least Concern.