Colours

Distinguishing features

A small to medium sized pale orangey brown parrotfish, with 4 mottled blue vertical bars on the sides of the body. The initial and terminal phase fish in this species are similarly coloured.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Found in nearly all habitats, with juvenile and small IP fish most common on shallow flats and lagoonal and backreef patch reefs, while larger IP and TP fish are found on deeper reef slopes and fronts.

Found in most locations around the Island.

Behaviour

The smaller Bluebarred Parrotfish are often seen in mixed schools with the Surf Parrotfish, whereas the larger specimens are usually solitary and found in deeper water. They feed on benthic turf algae from dead coral surfaces. Spawning takes place in the summer months at reef passes and points with good water flow. This species reaches 13 years of age, with both males and females present in the initial phase, but only males in the terminal phase.

Web resources

References