Fish Identification Photos: Beaubrummel Major, Stegastes flavilatus: The Beaubrumel Major is characterized by light brown to gray brown coloration, with scales outlined in black. In the adult Beaubrummel Major, the major fins are tipped in yellow and there is a black spot at the soft dorsal fin junction.

Juvenile Beaubrummel Majors are highly colored, being bright blue on top and bright yellow on the bottom. They are quite similar in appearance and easily confused with the Cortez Damselfish, Stegastes rectifraenum, and the Northern Whitetail Gregory, Stegastes leucorus.

The Beaubrumel Major is normally found close to shore in the first 50 feet of the water column. It is very aggressive in its feeding habits and when defending its territory. It reaches a length of approximately 7 inches.

The Beaubrummel Major is a member of the Pomacentridae or Damselfish Family of small, very colorful reef fishes found throughout the subtropical and tropical regions of the world’s oceans.

In Mexico, the Beaubrummel Major is not found on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, but is present on the eastern side south of Loreto.

It occurs in waters south of Mazatlan on mainland Mexico and around all oceanic islands except Clipperton.

Beaubrummel Major, Stegastes flavilatus: Caught from shore during the last hours of daylight, in 74-degree water, in January 2004, in rocky structure utilizing a 15-pound test, one dropper loop rig, no swivels, 0.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid, 8 Km. north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on the East Cape road. Size approximately 6 inches. Fish catch courtesy of Dr. Mike Browning, Denver. First photo taken immediately on location. Second photo taken a few hours later. Fish identification courtesy Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama. Description and photos courtesy John Snow. Beaubrummel Major, Stegastes flavilatus: January 2007 tidal pool collection at El Tule, Km. 17, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 0.5 inches. Note key dark spot on the top of the back near the end of the dorsal fin. Photo courtesy of John Snow.