Scarus ghobban Forsskål, 1775
Blue-barred parrotfish
Scarus ghobban
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae
 Max. size:  90 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 13 years
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 1 - 90 m
 Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref. 80050); 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).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Distinctive yellow and blue-barred primary phase; terminal phase resembles that of S. forsteni.
 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). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 90102.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 05.06.92
 Modified by: Olisa, Kristine Elaine Paz - 03.06.15
 Checked by: Busson, Frédéric - 23.10.07

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