About Stegastes leucostictus (Müller & Troschel, 1848)
Stegastes leucostictus is a fairly deep-bodied, oval, laterally compressed bony fish that reaches an adult length of approximately 10 cm (3.9 in). Its coloration is quite variable, but it typically has dark blue or brown coloration along the top of the head and the dorsal ridge of the back, and yellowish coloring on its flanks. Its large dorsal fin contains 12 spines and 13 to 16 soft rays, while the anal fin has 2 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays. The caudal fin has a shallow fork, and the paired pectoral and pelvic fins have no spines. The mouth is positioned at the tip of the snout. Juvenile Stegastes leucostictus have blue stripes and spots on the head, and a dull blue sheen on the top of the head and the upper portion of the front half of the body. Juveniles have a large, black eye-spot outlined in blue, centered where the dorsal fin spines connect to the soft rays. This spot shifts upward onto the fin as the juvenile grows. This species can be distinguished from other members of its genus by a dark spot located just above each pectoral fin. In terms of distribution and habitat, Stegastes leucostictus occurs in shallow waters of the western Atlantic Ocean at depths down to around 10 m (33 ft). Its range stretches from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico southward to Brazil. It is a demersal fish that normally stays within 50 centimeters of the seabed. Its preferred habitats include seagrass meadows, rocky or coral reefs, and sandy flats, and it is occasionally found among mangroves.
