Parma polylepis
Banded parma
Similar Species
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