Home · Scaridae · Bumphead parrotfish
Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae

Bumphead parrotfish

Scarus perrico
Family: Scaridae

The Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–36.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bumphead parrotfish?

Get the app

Description

The Bumphead parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from reef water of the eastern Pacific, from Mexico to Panama. The species grows to about 76 cm and has a robust, green body with a steep, bulging head body; adult (terminal-phase) males are often more vividly blue-green marked. With a parrot-like beak formed from fused jaws it rasps algae from coral and rock and grinds the limestone fine, contributing to the formation of reef sand. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bumphead parrotfish?

The Bumphead parrotfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Bumphead parrotfish live?

The Bumphead parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others

How big does the Bumphead parrotfish get?

The Bumphead parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Bumphead parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bumphead parrotfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bumphead parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Bumphead parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Juan Manuel de Roux, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae — 3
Daniel González-Suárez (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David Vander Pluym, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae — 5
csmitelli (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bumphead parrotfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bumphead parrotfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bumphead parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus perrico
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Bumphead parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bumphead parrotfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bumphead parrotfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bumphead parrotfish? Get the app