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Bicolor parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor) — Scaridae

Bicolor parrotfish

Cetoscarus bicolor
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bicolour parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows fairly large and undergoes a strong colour change with age: juveniles are white with an orange band over the head, while adult males are beautifully coloured green and pink. With its parrot-like tooth plates it scrapes algae from coral and rock; in doing so it also grinds limestone, which it excretes as fine sand. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite: animals start as females and can change into males. 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 multicoloured and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bicolor parrotfish live?

The Bicolor parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bicolor parrotfish get?

The Bicolor parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Bicolor parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Bicolor parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweekleurige papegaaivis sourced
English name
Bicolor parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Cetoscarus bicolor
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Bicolor parrotfish; Bicolour parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Scaridae

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