Blue Drummer, Girella cyanea (Macleay, 1881)
Scientific name: Girella cyanea
Alternative name/s:
Bluefish
Bluefish
Click to enlarge image
A 40 cm long Blue Drummer at a depth of 2 m, Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, October 2001.
Image: Geoff Kelly
© Geoff Kelly
© Geoff Kelly
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Girella
- Species
- cyanea
- Family
- Girellidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 76 cm in length.
Introduction
The Blue Drummer is found off the coast of New South Wales around offshore islands and reefs.
Identification
The Blue Drummer can be recognised by its blue colouration with yellow spots. The blue changes to grey-green after death.
Habitat
It is uncommon on the coast preferring offshore islands and reefs.
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. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Roughley, T.C. 1916. Fishes of Australia and their Technology. Department of Education, New South Wales. Technical Education Series No. 21. Pp. 296.
