Bluestriped Chub
Kyphosus ocyurus
Adult
Family: Sea Chubs (Kyphosidae)
Size: Up to 60 cm (24 in) | Common: 35 cm
Depth: 1 – 20m (3 – 65ft)
Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Mexico to Peru, including Galapagos).
Identification:
A sleek, oval-shaped fish that stands out from other drab "Sea Chubs."
- Color Pattern: The body is silvery-grey but dominated by bright yellow and blue longitudinal stripes. The tail (caudal fin) is deeply forked and bright yellow.
- Distinct Features: Unlike the dull grey Cortez Sea Chub, the Bluestriped Chub is vibrant and often swims higher in the water column.
Behavior:
An active schooling fish of the shallow reef.
- Social Structure: They are often seen in large groups in shallow water, moving quickly through the surge.
- Diet: While most Sea Chubs are strict herbivores (eating algae), the Bluestriped Chub is an opportunist—it also feeds on plankton and small crustaceans in the open water.
- Associations: You will often see them mixing with schools of other fish, such as King Angelfish or Sergeant Majors.
You just learned about this fish...
NOW COME SEE IT!
Behind the Lens
Jalvan
Underwater Photographer & Instructor
Documenting unique marine biodiversity from the Red Sea across the Pacific Ocean. Dedicated to creating a visual catalog of Bahia Solano's marine life for conservation and research.
Video: Osmo Action 5 Pro | GoPro
Follow my work:
REFERENCES & DATA SOURCES
- Scientific ID: Verified via FishBase.
- Field Guide: Reef Fish Identification: Baja to Panama (Humann & DeLoach).
- Regional Data: Ankla Azul Marine Observation Log (Bahia Solano).
More Than Kicking Your Fins
At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It's patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano's wild Pacific.