26/07/2024
Something I love about my work. As a marine scientist you come across many species of fish in your lifetime. For me the Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) may have been a parrotfish I had previously overlooked and potentially avoided photographing. After capturing media content for researchers at Ningaloo (CSIRO) and Scott Reef (AIMS) I now have a shared passion on these beautiful reef dwellers. The species is considered vulnerable and given the chance can grow up to 1.5m and 75kg, they can be found in huge schools from shallow water reef flats to the reef slope. Their path of destruction easily followed by their trail of tooth scars on coral outcrops.
But why the shared fascination?
Because they play a key role in reef erosion and hence coral sand production, and being “vulnerable” they aren’t commonly seen, and are generally extremely flighty, especially at Ningaloo. The largest school I’ve seen was at Scott Reef on the outer slope, they were MASSIVE and an amazing sight. Pictured here at Ningaloo was a straggler on its own near the reef flat, and on the 100mm was a long shot in clear water!
Since noting the species I have seen some great specimens at Cocos Keeling Islands and can’t wait to get back and capture some more content of them!
Shot on R5 and RF100mm 2.8L, housing and strobes.
