''Parma microlepis'', commonly known as the white-ear, is a species of fish in the family
Pomacentridae
Pomacentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, comprising the damselfishes and clownfishes. This family were formerly placed in the order Perciformes but are now regarded as being ''incertae sedis'' in the subseries Ovalentaria in the clade ...
. This fish is endemic to Eastern Australia.
Description
This species grows to ~20 cm. The White-ear changes colour as it grows but always has a white mark on its 'ear'. Young juveniles are brightly coloured but as the fish grows the colours fade to the adult colouration of yellowish-brown to grey or black".
Distribution
The white-ear is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...
to Australia, occurring from northern
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
to northern
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
.
Behaviour
During the breeding season, aggressive males may bite divers.
Habitat
''Parma microlepis'' are benthic coastal reef inhabitants and are commonly found on reef, in depths of 1–55 m.
Diet
Omnivorous.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q975448
microlepis
Fish described in 1862
Taxa named by Albert Günther