Blue Barred Parrotfish Facts and Photographs

The Blue-barred Parrotfish (Scarus ghobban) is also known as the Blue trim Parrotfish, Globe-headed Parrotfish, Green blotched Parrotfish and Bluechin parrotfish. Parrotfish obtain their name from their teeth which are fused into a beak.

Within the various species of Parrotfish which are part of the Labridae family there is considerable divergence in looks between the juveniles and the adults. Some females based on social cues also change into so called Supermales which are very colorful. Additionally there are regional variations in looks which combined with their ability to change their colors particularly at night to some degree, creates a large amount of confusion as to which is which.

Most have been described on multiple occasions in various areas with this species which is one of the few that do not vary greatly between juvenile and adult having been described on over thirty occasions by different scientists in different parts of the world. It can often be exceedingly difficult to determine which species is which and ultimately only a DNA test might provide one with conclusive identification with some specimens.

APPEARANCE

In Tanzania the small juveniles start out as being a light brownish yellow color but soon morph into the coloration shown above. The body is primarily a brown yellow color with blue bars on some of the scales with blue edging on the dorsal anal and caudal fin rays along with blue marks on the face.

With the smaller juveniles there is a white patch central mid body which disappears as the fish matures into an initial phase female which is pictured below. In some parts of the world at this stage marked blue bars form on the sides of the body, but we have never seen this in Tanzanian waters.

Terminal phase Blue-barred Parrotfish males pictured below have more blue scales on them and blue lines begin forming in the cheek area.

BLUE-BARRED PARROTFISH IN THE WILD

As a juvenile the Blue-barred parrotfish often feeds on the shallower reefs at around 10 to 15 meters with groups of Rabbitfish , Goatfish, Wrasse and smaller Surgeonfish. Occasionally they are seen in small loose shoals. As they mature so they seem head to turbid waters, often fairly shallow around three to five meters. Off the west coast of Mafia in the Mafia channel we have seen large Initial Phase specimens of around 40 to 50 cm in groups of four to five females, sometimes accompanied by a male and sometimes not. Visibility in these areas is low, around three meters. On the deeper reefs we often see them solitary.

At night as pictured below they sometimes sleep in a secretion and sometimes do not. It seems to be about 50/50 in this regard. This may have something to do with the light of the moon or perceived threat levels. Unusually for parrotfish they do not have a major color change at night.

HABITAT

The Blue-barred Parrotfish is found across the Indian Ocean from East Africa and the Red Sea across into the Pacific as far south and east as the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific Islands. They are found as far north as the Ryuku Islands south of Japan. They have also migrated into the Eastern Mediterranean up the Suez canal and have been found in Lebanon.

DIET

The Bridled Blue-barred Parrotfish feed on a variety of filamentous algae which is scraped off dead coral using their powerful beaks. These scrapings which are mainly comprised of inorganic matter are further ground down by bony teeth plates and then go into a long specialized alimentary canal where nutrients are extracted. The inorganic matter is expelled as fine sand.

REPRODUCTION

Parrotfish are unusual in that they have the ability to change their sex throughout their lifetime. At birth both males and females are present and these are referred to as primary males and females. The primary males and females are less colorful and are often difficult to tell apart. Secondary males are born female and change their sex when prompted by social cues such as the absence of another secondary male. These secondary males are often referred to as Supermales because of the brightness of their colors.

Individual pairing takes place and the eggs are released into the substrate. Interestingly in a genetic study done in the Philippines in three different areas full siblings and half siblings were found at sites more than 500 km apart. This indicates that the eggs or larvae are widely distributed by the currents.

AQUARIUMS

Bridled Parrotfish are not commonly kept in aquariums although some public aquariums may occasionally keep them for public display. This is both a function of their size and the difficulty in providing them with food.

COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION

All the Parrotfish are heavily exploited in Tanzania both by trapping and netting. Parrotfish carry a heavy premium on price, particularly the blue parrotfish. They make very good eating as a rule.