Animal Species:Blue Drummer, Girella cyanea (Macleay, 1881)

The Blue Drummer is found off the coast of New South Wales around offshore islands and reefs.

A Blue Drummer at Lord Howe Island

A Blue Drummer at Lord Howe Island
Geoff Kelly © Geoff Kelly

Alternative Name/s

Bluefish

Identification

The Blue Drummer can be recognised by its blue colouration with yellow spots. The blue changes to grey-green after death.

Size range

The species grows to 76 cm in length.

Distribution

The Blue Drummer is known from New South Wales marine waters.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Girella cyanea

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Blue Drummer specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is uncommon on the coast preferring offshore islands and reefs.

Classification

Species:
cyanea
Genus:
Girella
Family:
Kyphosidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Roughley, T.C. 1916. Fishes of Australia and their Technology. Department of Education, New South Wales. Technical Education Series No. 21. Pp. 296.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fish, ichthyology, Girella cyanea, Bluefish, Kyphosidae, Blue Drummer, blue, grey, yellow, 'normal fish', dots/spots, marine, adult, 30 cm - 1m,