Girella

Girella is a genus of fish in the family Kyphosidae, commonly known as the sea chubs. They are native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The genus contains about 21 species.

Description

Girella species are medium-sized fish, typically reaching lengths of 30 to 40 cm. They have a robust, oval-shaped body and a small mouth. The coloration varies among species, but most are gray or silver with darker markings.

Distribution and habitat

Girella species are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a range extending from Japan to Australia and from South Africa to Hawaii. They inhabit rocky reefs and kelp forests, and are typically found at depths of 5 to 30 m.

Behavior and diet

Girella species are diurnal, or active during the day. They feed primarily on algae, but also consume small invertebrates. Some species are known to form large feeding aggregations.

Reproduction

Girella species are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The eggs are adhesive and are attached to the substrate. The larvae are planktonic, or free-floating.

Human interaction

Some species of Girella are of commercial importance to fisheries. They are also popular in aquarium trade due to their attractive coloration and hardy nature.

Conservation

Several species of Girella are listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but some species are threatened by overfishing and habitat loss.

Species

There are currently 21 recognized species in the genus Girella:

• Girella albostriata
• Girella cyanea
• Girella elevata
• Girella fimbriata
• Girella leonina
• Girella melanichthys
• Girella nigricans
• Girella punctata
• Girella tricuspidata
• Girella zebra

See also

• List of fish families
• List of marine aquarium fish species