Chromis ternatensis (Bleeker, 1856)
Ternate chromis
Palata,  Kapal,  Palata,  Pata-pata,  Samok-samok
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Chrominae
Max. size:  10.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 80 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea (Ref. 7247) and East Africa to Samoa and Tonga (Ref. 53797), north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Description: Head and body olivaceous to dark yellowish gray, belly white, scales centers iridescent light blue. A dark brown streak runs along the margin of each caudal fin lobe (Ref. 2334, 90102). Body depth 1.8-1.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Schools are found above branching corals along upper margins of clear lagoon and outer reef slopes. Often associated with branching Acropora. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980, 120737).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Recorded from Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756), TaƱon Strait (Ref. 107276), Verde Island Passage (Ref. 107854), Malalag Bay, Sarangani Bay and Bongo Island and Paril-Sangay Protected Seascape, Moro Gulf (Ref. 106380), and Bantayan Is. in northern Cebu (Ref. 114734). Also Ref. 48613, 107852, 107853, 121724.


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