Abudefduf Forsskal, 1775
Diagnosis: eye large. Dorsal finrays XIII + 15-16; anal finrays 11 + 12-14. Anterior gill arch with 16 short, lanceolate rakers. Head scaly, except tip of snout and lower jaw. Along the first part of lateral line 21-22 scales, each with a large pore, along the second part 8-11, each with a small pore. Colour: blackish, dark brownish, belly more pale. Pectoral base and axilla blue. Young with indistinct narrow stripes on sides. Sometimes dimorphism in breeding fishes: females and non-breeding males black, a brilliant blue spot at the base of the pectoral fin, a blue streak on first ray of pelvic fin, small blue spots above and behind eye; breeding males: dark brown with some blue markings. Juveniles: as males, with dorsal and anal fins edged with blue, blue spot on upper part of caudal peduncle, and a blue line behind eye. Size: to 15 cm SL, usually 11-13 cm.
Habitat: Iittoral, over rocky or sandy bottoms, sometimes in holes and crevices (depth 3-35 m). Food: mainly algae with associated minute invertebrates. Reproduction: August- September off the Azores. Males nesting and protecting eggs.
Species about 15; in Clofnam area 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Abudefduf luridus