Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith
Blacksmiths in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Pomacentridae
Genus:	Chromis
Species:	C. punctipinnis
Binomial name
Chromis punctipinnis (Cooper, 1863)

The blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis) is a fish native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is from Monterey Bay, California, to central Baja California, Mexico.^[1] The blacksmith reaches a maximum size of 25 cm and is dark blue.The blacksmith is symbiotic with the senorita fish. When it feels that it is starting to deteriorate in hygiene it will turn until it is perpendicular to the ground. The senorita fish will then commence cleaning the blacksmith. Not only does the senorita get a meal, but the blacksmith gets groomed. So this helps both the senorita and the blacksmith. These are small, marine, reef-associated fish.

Statistics

They can reach 30cm (12in) in length.

Physical description

Blacksmiths have dark blue-black colored bodies with small black spots towards the tail and large scales. Young fish (to 5cm), are two-tone with a bluey-grey front and a brownish-orange rear. They have forked tails.

Distribution

They are found in the eastern Pacific from Monterey Bay, California to Baja California, Mexico.

Habitat

They live near to the sea bed over rocks, especially steep banks, to depths of 46m. They also inhabit kelp beds.

Diet

They eat marine algae and zooplankton.

Behaviour

The blacksmith rests in rocky crevices during the night. They are known to be territorial and, although small, act aggressively towards other fish. Young fish are pelagic and form schools.

Reproduction

Blacksmiths spawn during summer and autumn. The male cleans a nesting site, then herds a female to it. After spawning, the male guards the eggs until they hatch.

References

• "Chromis punctipinnis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=170085. Retrieved 18 April 2006. 

1. ^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Chromis punctipinnis" in FishBase. February 2006 version.