Scientific Name
Scarus ghobban

Common Name
Blue-barred parrotfish

Biology
Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602), in slopes and drop-offs (Ref. 48636), often solitary but may sometimes occur in small groups (Ref. 9710, 48636). Males common in atolls where they live mainly around the inner and outer edges of barrier reefs at depths of about 30 ft; females prefer deeper habitat (Ref. 4821). Small juveniles in groups are found inshore on algae reef habitat (Ref. 9710, 48636) and sometimes enter silty, murky environments (Ref. 5490). Feed by scraping algae from rocks and corals (Ref. 5227). Are protogynous hermaphrodites (Ref. 55367). Caught with nets and other types of artisanal gear. Marketed fresh (Ref. 5284). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

Classification

Classified By

Forssk?l, 1775

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Parrotfishes (Scaridae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Algoa Bay, South Africa (Ref. 5490) to Rapa and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Perth, New South Wales. Likely at Seychelles (Ref. 1623). Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Ecuador (Ref. 5227). Eastern Mediterranean: off the coast of Shiqmona, first Lessepsian immigrant of Family Scaridae (Ref. 45081).

Range

30°N - 32°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

3 m

Depth To - meters

36 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 36 m (Ref. 5227)

Trophic Level

2 s.e. 0.00 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

90.0 cm

Common Length

30.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=13)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)