Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) Care Guide
Stegastes variabilis is a Western Atlantic damselfish; juveniles are blue with a yellow back, adults dusky brown and territorial.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Stegastes variabilis, the cocoa damselfish, is a Western Atlantic reef fish in the family Pomacentridae. According to FishBase it reaches about 12.5 cm total length. Juveniles are bright blue with a yellow back, while adults are dark brown or blue above shading to yellow below, with narrow oblique dark lines on the side.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Stegastes
- Scientific name: Stegastes variabilis
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Western Atlantic off Brazil, with the type material described from Cuban specimens. It is a non-migratory, reef-associated fish; adults inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs at depths of 0-30 m and are often solitary, while juveniles are aggressively territorial.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F); FishBase reports a wild range of about 22.5-27.5 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- dKH: 8-12
- Lifespan: about 5-10 years
Diet
FishBase reports that adults consume benthic algae as well as sponges, ascidians and anemones, while juveniles feed on invertebrates such as harpacticoid copepods and nemerteans. In the aquarium it is an omnivore accepting prepared and algae-based foods, typically fed twice daily.
Compatibility
Juveniles are aggressively territorial and adults are often solitary, making this an assertive species. It suits robust tankmates such as tangs, wrasses and triggers (with caution), while slow or shy fish and other small damsels in confined tanks should be avoided.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding, and notes that males guard and aerate the eggs. Captive breeding is regarded as difficult.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 4 October 2021).
Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Stegastes variabilis, the cocoa damselfish, is a Western Atlantic species recorded from the Caribbean (described from Cuban specimens) and Brazil, reaching about 12.5 cm total length. Adults are dusky brown while juveniles are bright blue with a yellow back, and the species is aggressively territorial. FishBase records it as oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding and notes aggression during breeding periods.
Sexing
No reliable external sexing character is documented for S. variabilis in the consulted sources, and adult colour differences are age-related rather than sex-linked. As in other Stegastes, the nest-defending, more aggressive individual during reproduction is the male.
Conditioning
A species-specific conditioning protocol is not documented. Adults consume mainly benthic algae supplemented with sponges, ascidians and anemones, while juveniles feed on invertebrates such as harpacticoid copepods; a varied marine diet with a grazing surface supports condition. Maintain stable reef parameters within the recorded ranges (temperature about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4).
Breeding Setup
Because the species is aggressively territorial, a male needs ample defensible rock to establish a territory and nest. Following the family pattern, the male clears a nest area on the substrate. The species' aggression makes it unsuitable for crowded community systems during reproduction; provide space and sightline breaks.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Specific spawning triggers for S. variabilis are not documented. In Pomacentridae, ritualised courtship precedes spawning; the female lays a string of sticky eggs attached to the substrate within the male's territory and the male fertilises them externally. FishBase confirms the eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate and that males guard and aerate them.
Egg & Fry Care
The male guards and aerates the clutch through incubation. At family level, eggs hatch over about two to seven days into transparent larvae roughly 2–4 mm long that disperse into a pelagic phase. This planktonic stage is the principal barrier to captive reproduction.