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Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) — Scaridae

Bicolor parrotfish

Scarus rubroviolaceus
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–36.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West and East Pacific; seaward reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The ember parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West and eastern Pacific. The species has a robust body and a parrot-like beak of fused teeth; males are green-blue, females red-brown. It occurs solitarily or in pairs on seaward reefs over rocky or coral bottoms. With its beak it scrapes algae and growth from the coral and rock, grinding much limestone into sand. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor parrotfish?

The Bicolor parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Parrot-like beak that scrapes algae from coral and grinds limestone to sand; the sexes differently coloured.

Where does the Bicolor parrotfish live?

The Bicolor parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West and East Pacific; seaward reefs.

How big does the Bicolor parrotfish get?

The Bicolor parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Bicolor parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor parrotfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Bicolor parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) — Scaridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) kenny_well, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) — Scaridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — NPS photo - Bryan Harry (Public domain)
Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) — Scaridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — derekkeats (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bicolor parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) — Scaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bicolor parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Scarus rubroviolaceus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Blackvein parrotfish; Black-veined red parrotfish; Ember parrotfish; Redlip parrotfish; Parrotfish; Half & half parrotfish; Half and half parrotfish; Redlipped parrot verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West and East Pacific; seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm, scraped from coral and rock sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
20.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Parrot-like beak that scrapes algae from coral and grinds limestone to sand; the sexes differently coloured. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

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