The astounding array of colours found on the Scarini tribe (family: Labridae), commonly known as the Parrotfish, is showcased to breathtaking effect in this book. Photographer and artist Michelle Brayshaw reveals the plethora of colour changes which these fish display through ontological (slow) and physiological (fast) processes. The obvious differences occur in the three phases of their lives, but it is the subtle changes in colour that can be the most bizarre, occurring while feeding, mating, courting, cleaning, camouflaging themselves to their backgrounds or the fish around them, experiencing mood swings, fighting, playing and, most excitingly of all, when they are transitioning from female to male. This feat is not unique to the Parrotfish, but no other animals do it with such glamour and colour.

Through hundreds of hours of observational research, this book highlights the light play and physiological and ontological colour changes of the Scarini found on the Great Barrier Reef in stunning photographic accuracy. It also includes comprehensive information about why Parrotfish are so important for the health and resilience of the reef, instilling in the reader a deeper sense of the treasures found there and reminding us of the interconnected nature of our existence.

'Michelle Brayshaw, artist and visual arts educator, presents an exceptional field guide to the parrotfish species living within the Great Barrier Reef. Brayshaw writes with the scrupulous attention to detail of a researcher and the presentation and reflections of an artist... What makes this book special is Brayshaw's personality and experience, which runs through it... this book is gold dust for anyone who wants to better identify parrotfish species.'

Vicky Pollington, Associate Member in 'The Marine Biologist' magazine, January 2026

‘Blending colour, images, paintings, and a love of the sea through the eyes and behaviour of her beloved Parrotfish, Michelle brings a different style to the academic books we carry on board our vessel as reference material. What is different is that you feel the pulse of the emotion between the writer and her subject, the extraordinary Parrotfish. Congratulations, Michelle, in absolutely showcasing one of our most awesome underwater creatures.’

Alan Wallish, Founder, Passions of Paradise, Reef Operator, Cairns, Australia

‘We absolutely love this book. It’s great to see this extraordinary animal bought to the pages of a comprehensive guide.’

Andy Ridley, CEO, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef

‘The readers of this unique book will experience how colour appears and what colours do appear. The energy of colour produced from the chromatophores in the skins of the Parrotfish will evoke both feelings of pleasure and wonderment. Nature displayed in this way has a transforming effect on our being, bringing our imaginations and sensibilities into a world shielded by water, often hidden and forgotten.’

Dr. Sharyn A Schubert, Educator and Researcher, edD;, B.A.(Hons)., B.Ed.,.Grad.Dip.Theo. Ed., Dip.T.

Michelle has PhD in hybrid Science/Visual Art from Central Queensland University. She has been an educator for 34 years and a secondary Visual Art teacher for 28 years, in Queensland, Australia. Michelle holds postgraduate qualifications in Creative Arts and has numerous qualifications in Arts disciplines. She has participated in various exhibitions and sold her work in outlets throughout Queensland. In 2015, Michelle published her first photographic underwater book with New Holland Publishers.

She says of her latest work: “I have developed a deep love and passion for our beautiful region and consider myself blessed that I live with The Great Barrier Reef at my doorstep. My work creates that magical and ephemeral moment in time which is intended to bring with it, memories and associated smells, sounds and feelings giving the audience insight and prompting reaction for the survival of one of our most beautiful environments and what I believe are the most important and beautiful of all its inhabitants, the Scarini tribe.”