Twinspot Chromis

Appearance

Body grayish brown, clearer in juveniles. Edges of scales orangish or bluish; Dorsal and anal fins with whitish spot on its posterior half; Anus region blackish; Upper base of pectoral with a blackish spot.
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 10-11; Pectoral rays: 17-18; Lateral line scales: 15-17; Gill rakers: 26-31; Body depth: 1.8-1.9 in SL; Posterior edge or preopercle serrate. 15-17 tubed lateral line scales. Eyes large. Max length: 7.0 cm TL.

Naming

Demoiselle à points jumeau, Twin-spot chromis, Twinspot chromis, Twin-spot puller, Twinspot puller, Taiwan-suzumedai
Chromis: from Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch.
elerae: for R.P. Fr. Casto de Elera, author of the "Catalogo sistematico de toda la fauna de Filipinas."

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Maldives and Cocos-Keeling Islands to Micronesia and Fiji, Australia, New Caledonia to Taiwan.

Habitat

Depth range: 12 - 70 m. Adults inhabit cave openings and crevices of steep outer reef slopes in small aggregations. May also be seen singly with black corals, large sponges or gorgonian fans.

Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs.