Wellesley College Department of Biological Sciences

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Wellesley College Department of Biological Sciences

The home for current events in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wellesley College.

To learn more about the Department of Biological Sciences at Wellesley, please visit us at http://www.wellesley.edu/biology and follow us on Instagram .

05/01/2026

Happy Fish Friday! This week’s fish is the stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride). These fish have an elongated body, a bluntly round face, and a curved crescent tail fin. They undergo three major color phases through the course of their life, similar to last week’s princess parrotfish, and reach lengths of 22 inches. They inhabit shallow waters of 10-164 ft in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, from southern Florida all the way south to Brazil. These fish feed on corals and algae growing on the surfaces of rocks throughout the reef. They use their strong beak-like fused teeth to bite off pieces of stony corals, specifically to eat the coral polyps that grow on the surface of this skeleton. The coral skeletal material that is ingested by the parrotfish is crushed by the grinding motion of their pharyngeal teeth, specialized teeth located in the back of the throat. After passing through the digestive system, the fish deposits the remains of its meal on the reef as sparkly, white coral sand. Next time you see a stoplight parrotfish, you can thank them for the beautiful white sand beaches!

Good luck on finals and have a wonderful summer all!
💙🌊🐠

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04/24/2026

Happy Earth Week and happy Fish Friday! This week’s fish is the princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus). These fish have an elongated, compressed body, and their coloration changes dramatically as they move through their different life phases. Like many parrotfish, they become s*xually mature as females in the initial phase and later transition into flamboyant terminal-phase males. This strategy provides an evolutionary advantage because only the largest fish can successfully defend territories and monopolize mates, so changing s*x later in life maximizes reproductive success. As juveniles, princess parrotfish are much less colorful - pale with three dark brown stripes and a dark tail fin. Next, in their initial phase, their upper body and tail base are brown with three white stripes near the midline and eye. Lastly, in their terminal phase, the adult princess parrotfish are bursting with color (as seen here). They are found near shallow, clear reefs and seagrass beds in the waters throughout the Caribbean Sea at depths ranging from 2-25 meters. In any coloration or s*x, the princess parrotfish is a pleasure to see cruising around the reef!

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04/17/2026

Happy Fish Friday! This week’s fish is the gray angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus). These fish have a flat, compressed body, making them strong swimmers. As a juvenile, gray angelfish have black scales with five yellow stripes that run vertically down their bodies. As they reach maturity, their coloration transforms into a uniform gray color. They are most common among the coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean at depths ranging from 7-98 feet. The reefs provide plenty of places the gray angelfish can hide from predators in the night. They have bristle-like teeth that allow them to eat a variety of textured foods, such as sponges, seagrass or smaller fish. The gray angelfish reach lengths of 24 inches, but are more commonly observed at lengths of 17-19 inches. If you are trying to spot a gray angelfish cruising the reef, look for one swimming solo or in a pair. They are very curious and brave, and they just might swim over to say hello! 🐠💙🌊

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04/10/2026

Happy Fish Friday! This week’s fish is the scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus). These fish is a fan favorite among SCUBA divers because they are slow moving and approachable! They move by undulating their dorsal and a**l fins in a slow, graceful, waving motion rather than using their tails. Scrawled filefish are a light gray/brown color with bright, irregular blue lines and black spots. They live in multiple environments in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They inhabit subtropical waters of lagoons and reefs in depths from 10-400 ft, but are usually found at 10-70 ft. The scrawled filefish reaches lengths of 22 inches, but the maximum reported length is 43 inches! These fish are great at hiding when threatened. It slips into a small crack in the reef and uses the spines on its head and belly to brace itself tightly so predators can’t pull it out. If you are searching for a scrawled filefish, look for a gentle drifter near the coral; its shifting blue scribbles make it one of the ocean’s most artistic camouflagers! 🐠💙🌊

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04/03/2026

Happy Fish Friday! This week’s fish is the foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus). Named for the spots on its tail that look like eyes, this fish is able to confuse predators about the direction it is fleeing. They are a light gray hue with dark chevrons pointing towards its head. It also has a black vertical bar through their true eyes and has bright yellow ventral fins. The foureye butterflyfish is very common in the tropical western Atlantic. They inhabit shallow coral reefs in depths of 6-65 feet. This subtropical fish reaches a size of about 3.5 inches. The foureye butterflyfish is one of a few fish that seem to mate for life! The females and males pair early in life, and if they were to become separated on a reef, one partner will swim upward to improve its view, using the higher position to locate and reunite with the other. The foureye butterflyfish is a diurnal species, active during the day and sleeping at night, making it vulnerable to predators after dark. When trying to spot a foureye butterflyfish, watch for its remarkable swimming abilities; this species is known for swimming sideways or upside down as it travels through complex coral structures! See you next week for more fish facts 💙🐠🌊

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03/27/2026

Happy Fish Friday! This week's fish is the longlure frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus). If you are having trouble spotting it in the image, you are not alone! This fish camouflages itself against the coral and sponges it lives near. They can come in many different colors, textures, and patterns. They can be found in the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Bermuda and the Bahamas. They inhabit shallow reefs in depths less than 215 feet. The longlure frogfish is relatively small, reaching lengths of around 5 inches. Rather than swimming, this fish moves by “walking” on their fins! To attract their prey, they wiggle their highly evolved first dorsal spine to lure other fish. The frogfish is capable of swallowing a fish that is larger in size than itself! To spot a longlure frogfish, scan the sponges and coral, and your eyes might just land on this master of disguise! See you next week for more fish facts!

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12/10/2025

two days left to win a squishmallow 😝🥳

12/08/2025

come take a break with the bisc department!!! lots of sweet treats and a ugly sweater contest 🎁🎄🎊

11/23/2025

want to submit your favorite BISC meme about ur professor? want to vote on who has the best office hours? i know u want to …. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 see link in bio to vote. get hyped for the BISC NEWSLETTER!!!!!!

10/29/2025

Come learn about your fellow sibs research experience!!!! November 6th from 6-7 in SCI L035 👀👀👀 6️⃣7️⃣ dm me to sign up or click the link in the bio 🔗

Address

Science Center, 106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA
02481

Website

http://www.wellesley.edu/biology

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