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Clouded nibbler (Girella nebulosa) — Kyphosidae

Clouded nibbler

Girella nebulosa
Family: Kyphosidae

The Clouded nibbler (Girella nebulosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Easter I.

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Description

The Clouded nibbler is a sea chub or nibbler (Kyphosidae) from reef water of the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, oval, dark grey-green body with a small mouth with incisor teeth. As a mainly plant-eating fish it grazes algae and weed from rocks and coral in the surf in schools. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clouded nibbler?

The Clouded nibbler has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Clouded nibbler live?

The Clouded nibbler lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Easter I.

How big does the Clouded nibbler get?

The Clouded nibbler grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Clouded nibbler dangerous to humans?

No, the Clouded nibbler is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Clouded nibbler (Girella nebulosa) — Kyphosidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Clouded nibbler (Girella nebulosa) — Kyphosidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Clouded nibbler (Girella nebulosa) — Kyphosidae — 4
Dandridge, Violet (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Clouded nibbler sourced
Scientific name
Girella nebulosa
Family
Kyphosidae
Other names
Rapanui nibbler sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Easter I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Girella

More from the family Kyphosidae

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