Garibaldi Damselfish

Photo: pgkaestner · CC BY-NC

The black-axil chromis is among the most abundant damselfish at Coral Gardens, forming dense mid-water aggregations above the coral formations that disperse instantly into the reef structure when threatened by passing pelagics. Their spawning aggregations in late spring create some of the lagoon's most spectacular fish-behaviour events, as males establish and vigorously defend nesting territories against rivals two to three times their size.