Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Johnrandallia nigrirostris
- Common name
- Barberfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Johnrandallia
- Size
- 12–20 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, cleaner
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Johnrandallia nigrirostris reaches 20 cm. Eastern Pacific butterflyfish with bright golden-yellow body with wide black eye mask and characteristic black snout/nose (hence nigrirostris), fins edged with black lines. Only representative of Johnrandallia genus (dedicated to ichthyologist John E. Randall). Lives in loose schools or pairs from 5 to 50 m on rocky reefs from Gulf of California to Peru. Documented cleaner behavior on large fish, rays, turtles. Iconic photo subject of cleaning stations in Galapagos, Gordon Rocks dives.
Photo of Barberfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Barberfish?
- Barberfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris) reaches 12–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Barberfish?
- Barberfish is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Barberfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Barberfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Barberfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Chaetodontidae
- Chaetodon sedentarius - Reef butterflyfish
- Chaetodon ocellatus - Spotfin butterflyfish
- Chaetodon fasciatus - Diagonal butterflyfish
- Chaetodon semilarvatus - Bluecheek butterflyfish
- Forcipiger flavissimus - Longnose butterflyfish
- Chaetodon humeralis - Threebanded butterflyfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 281202)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385671)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia