In my ‘Year in review for 2023 on Norfolk Island’s reef’, published in December 2023, I made a few observations about the apparent disappearance of some fish species from Norfolk Island’s lagoons. I thought I would revisit these, principally because since December there has been so much additional fish activity here, with some exciting population increases and a few new species turning up.
Read MoreOne small fish for one big job
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, are important critters on our coral reefs. These fish offer a swim-through full-body maintenance shop for other fish species – their clients – nibbling away dead skin and any nasty ectoparasites that might be living on their clients. There’s a lot to be learned about a reef from watching these busy little fish.
Read MoreThe curious case of the peacock damselfish
Today I am featuring a fish called the peacock damselfish – Pomacentrus pavo. On our tiny reef, you can often count the fish of a particular species on one hand, and the peacock damselfish is a perfect example of this. Our last baby peacock damselfishes appeared in mid-February (2021), but this year juvenile fish for any of the species in our bays have been hard to find. Maybe they are later this year?
Read MoreNorfolk Island's Blenny Fest
At this time of year, as the mating season begins, the delightful little Lady Musgrave blennies, Cirripectes chelomatus, change colour from dark inky blue black with a few barely visible red spots to a showy and vibrant mustard yellow.
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