Blue-barred Parrotfish

Description:

Large parrotfish growing up to 75 cm although most seen average closer to 40 cm. This one an initial stage female. Mainly a pale orange-yellow body paling to cream over belly. Five loose vertical blue bands from the mid section behind the pectoral fin to the base of the tail. Caudal, dorsal and anal fin edges are blue, a pale eye and blue markings around the eye and mouth.

Habitat:

A very widespread range from the Mediterranean through the Indo-Pacific across to French Polynesia. This one found in shallow coral reef edge at about 2 meters deep. Taken a couple of hundred meters off shore from the city of Noumea in New Caledonia still within city limits.

Notes:

This one observed at a 'cleaner station' being attended to by a pair of Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus). The other main species shown here are the black and white Scissor-tail Sergeant (Abudefduf sexfasciatus).This species goes under many names. Images taken as still from video.