Parma polylepis, the banded parma, is a species of damselfish from the western-central Pacific Ocean.
Distribution
The Banded parma can be found in marine waters off the coast of southeastern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, and northern New Zealand.[1]
Description
A large species of damselfish that can reach lengths of 21 cm,[1] the banded parma can be distinguished by the prominent bony knobs above the eyes. Larger individuals have larger bony knobs.[2]
Growth series: from youngest juvenile to adult
Gallery
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Showing bony knobs above the eyes -
With eggs -
Pair over an egg nest -
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![Algal patch cultivated by P. polylepis. Territorial damselfish are known to 'farm' algae.[3]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Parma_polylepis_algal_farm%2C_Slaughter_Bay%2C_Kingston_2899%2C_Norfolk_Island_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_287716819.jpg/250px-Parma_polylepis_algal_farm%2C_Slaughter_Bay%2C_Kingston_2899%2C_Norfolk_Island_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_287716819.jpg)
![Algal patch cultivated by P. polylepis. Territorial damselfish are known to 'farm' algae.[3]](https://shirtaphobia.com/?rdp_we_resource=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AParma_polylepis_algal_farm%2C_Slaughter_Bay%2C_Kingston_2899%2C_Norfolk_Island_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_287716819.jpg)
References
- ^ a b “Parma polylepis summary page”. FishBase. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Allen, Gerald; Hoese, Doug (January 1, 1975). “A review of the pomacentrid fish genus Parma, with descriptions of two new species”. Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 3.
- ^ Frédérich, Bruno; Parmentier, Eric (2016). Biology of Damselfishes. Boca Raton: CRC Press. pp. 100–115.