Flight of the Parrots

Everyone loves a great parrot(fish) story. We are therefore excited to share some interesting news from Sydney Harbour that highlights the power of citizen science in detecting species outside of their typical distributional range. Recent observations by snorkelers and SCUBA divers have confirmed the presence of two parrotfish species detected for the first time in Parsley Bay, and for one of these fish, for the first time in the waters of Sydney Harbour! These observations make a significant addition to our understanding of the region's biodiversity, and thanks to the keen eyes and reports from everyday divers and snorkelers, we're gaining new insights into the diversity of marine life that call Sydney Harbour home.

For the first sighting, the Mini-fin Parrotfish Scarus altipinnis, this is a smaller species known for its striking fin configuration and active habits feeding, mainly on algae. The Parsley Bay observer can attest to the fish’s tenacity and difficulty in getting it to sit still and smile for a photo. Like most parrotfish that are protogynous hermaphrodites, the observation represents an initial phase female (brownish with scattered white spots) that will eventually grow up and change sex into a terminal phase male, which are greenish posteriorly with two bluish-green bars on the chin. Though this species has been recorded (once) as far south as Batemans Bay, NSW on April 22, 2019 and nearby Sydney Harbour (once) in Clovelly on May 11, 2025, this is the first record from Sydney Harbour at Parsley Bay.

The Chameleon Parrotfish Scarus chameleon on the other hand, has much less information about its ecology, though it is usually associated with tropical coral reefs. In recent years there have been five observations by citizen scientists on iNaturalist just outside of the harbour: four in Cabbage Tree Bay between July 2014 and June 2025 and one quite far up Port Hacking Estuary in April 2025. In the harbour, there have been two previous observations recorded by Reef Life Survey at Fairlight back in 2009, and a fish collected by the Australian Museum Ichthyology team in Vaucluse Bay (Shark Beach) back in 1974! The temporal and spatial spread of these observations makes it difficult to determine whether this species has permanently expanded its range, has always been present but largely overlooked, or perhaps some scenario in the middle.

These rare observations within Sydney Harbour and surrounds makes their presence in Parsley Bay quite remarkable. The records of these parrotfish in Parsley Bay not only enriches our knowledge of the area's marine life but also emphasizes the importance of protecting these places. I encourage everyone to continue exploring, observing, and sharing their encounters with nature—together, we can help conserve and celebrate the incredible biodiversity right in our backyard!

A huge thanks to Mark McGrouther, Senior Fellow at the Australian Museum and Curator of Australasian Fishes, and Professor Kendall Clements from the University of Auckland for confirming the taxonomic identification of each of these species, as well as our tireless observers @nickatherine and @eschlogl.

This journal post was written by project leader and iNaturalist member, Dr Joseph DiBattista.