Common Name: White-ear

Distribution: Juveniles common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed in the South West Pacific region. In Australia recorded from northern New South Wales to north-eastern Tasmania, Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.

Ecological Notes: Frequents shallow rocky coastal reefs, offshore islands and estuaries. Depth 2 – 30 m.

Additional Notes: Adults brown to dusky grey with distinct white patch on rear of operculum. Adults and juveniles very territorial, especially males guarding eggs. Juveniles of varying stages pictured here. Adults rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Grows to 14 cms.

References: Kuiter, R. H., Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Published by Crawford House Press Pty. Ltd., 1993. p.232.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Parma+microlepis. Accessed 25/06/18.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Parma-microlepis.html. Accessed 25/06/18.