Parma polylepis

Banded parma
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis, adult, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis, adult, NSW, Australia, Photo: Ian Shaw
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis, juvenile, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis, Norfolk Island, Photo: Antonia Cooper
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis, juvenile, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
1 / 5
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis
Parma polylepis

Distribution

Temperate Australasia, Tropical Indo-Pacific


Description

Best recognised by their dark colouration and knob-like bumps above the eyes; juveniles have alternating light and dark bands down the body, and tan colouration on the head. Adults dark, sometimes with light or yellow faces, light banding pattern and occelus on back in juveniles which fade with age This species is very common at Lord Howe I, with individuals also regularly seen along the NSW north coast.


Information

Max Size: 21 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 18.7-25°C

Depth: 1-20m

Habitat Generalization Index: 17.37

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Common (26.9% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Several (6 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney