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Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) — Scaridae

Blue-spotted parrotfish

Leptoscarus vaigiensis
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoons with seagrass and algae.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The marbled parrotfish is a parrotfish of the family Scaridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a greenish to brownish mottled body that camouflages it well among vegetation. It inhabits sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons with seagrass beds and dense algal beds. With a parrot-beak-like dentition it grazes seagrass and algae. Notably this species, unlike most parrotfishes, does not change sex: males and females are separate sexes without colour change. The marbled parrotfish is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-spotted parrotfish?

The Blue-spotted parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern. Marbled seagrass dweller; unlike most parrotfishes it does not change sex.

Where does the Blue-spotted parrotfish live?

The Blue-spotted parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoons with seagrass and algae.

How big does the Blue-spotted parrotfish get?

The Blue-spotted parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Blue-spotted parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-spotted parrotfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-spotted parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Blue-spotted parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) — Scaridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Glen Whisson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) — Scaridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Philippe Bourjon (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blue-spotted parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) — Scaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-spotted parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Leptoscarus vaigiensis
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Blue-spotted parrotfish; Marbled parrotfish; Seagrass parrotfish; Parrotfish; Slender parrotfish; Petroleum parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoons with seagrass and algae. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Seagrass and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Marbled seagrass dweller; unlike most parrotfishes it does not change sex. 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

More from the family Scaridae

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