Blue-barred Parrotfish

The blue-barred parrotfish (Scarus ghobban) is a bright marine fish that plays an important role in coral reef ecosystems.

This species inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to Australia, including the waters of Japan, the Galapagos Islands, and French Polynesia. It is found in coastal zones with sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and on the edges of coral reefs, descending to depths of up to 90 meters.

The blue-barred parrotfish has characteristic coloration: its body shimmers with green-blue shades with thin blue stripes along the sides. Some individuals may have pink or yellow areas on the ventral side, and the fins are often adorned with bright blue edges. The average length of adults is about 45 cm, but under favorable conditions they can reach 75 cm.

This species grows quickly and can live up to 13 years.

Like other parrotfish, it feeds on algae, which it scrapes from rocks and corals using a powerful "beak" made of fused teeth. Thanks to this, the fish not only provides itself with food but also helps clean reefs of excess algae. In addition to vegetation, it processes coral material, turning it into sand, which plays an important role in the formation of the seabed.

The blue-barred parrotfish leads a diurnal lifestyle and is usually found in small groups. At night, it hides among corals or in secluded places on the reef to avoid predators.

Reproduction occurs in open water: females release eggs, which are fertilized by males and develop quickly. The larvae drift in the water column until they transform into juveniles. Like many other parrotfish, individuals can change sex during their lifetime, which is related to their social structure and hierarchy in the group.