Species focus: Facts about Parore

Parore (Girella tricuspidata) - A member of the nibbler family of fishes, Girellidae, Parore reside in a wide range of habitats, from mangroves and estuaries, to sheltered bays and exposed reefs, and as such they are a common sight for divers around the North Island and into the Marlborough Sounds.

They are one of the most abundant larger coastal species.
Parore are also found on the eastern seaboard of Australia, in fact collectively the fish is named under many monikers both here and across the Tasman including luderick, black snapper and Pacific bream, to name a few.

A somewhat shy fish, Parore can usually be found in large schools, working their way along a coastline as they browse and forage. This transitory behaviour reflects their omnivorous diet. As juveniles, and similar to many other herbivorous fishes, their diet is filled with small invertebrates. However, as adults once considered to be strictly herbivores, observations and diet studies have shown them to eat a wide range of invertebrates. A favourite food item are soft-bodied salps found mid-water. But, ultimately, Parore will feast on anything from sea lettuce to crabs, algal epiphytes to detritus. Whatever is the seasonal delicacy on offer.

Parore reproduce annually in late spring or summer. And while spawning aggregations are rarely encountered, when they do, they are known to involve a large number of fish. In these aggregations, the males lose their stripes and adopt a pale body with a dark head, closely following the normally-patterned ripe females. Their larvae will settle a few weeks later into estuaries.

In New Zealand Parore are not targeted commercially as they are in Australia. Here they are generally landed as bycatch, either in the grey mullet fishery in embayments and estuaries or by recreational fishers targeting other species.

Eight fast facts about Parore

1. A fish with many names: parore, luderick, black snapper, blackfish, Pacific bream….
   
2. Grow to about 60 cm.
   
3. Distinguished by the 11 or 12 dark tapering bars on its flanks.
   
4. Are omnivorous, eating both seaweed but also invertebrates, including salps.
   
5. tricuspidata refers to the three cusped teeth – used for slicing seaweed.
   
6. Inhabit a wide range of habitats, including mangroves, estuaries and kelp forests.
   
7. Juveniles generally settle into estuaries and particularly seagrass.
   
8. Can live up to 50 years!!