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Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) — Scaridae

Greensnout parrotfish

Scarus spinus
Family: Scaridae

The Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The greensnout parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has fused, beak-like teeth; dominant males are blue-green with a green snout and yellow patch, females and younger fish browner. With its beak it rasps algae and coral from the reef, producing fine sand. Like many parrotfish it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greensnout parrotfish?

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

Where does the Greensnout parrotfish live?

The Greensnout parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Greensnout parrotfish get?

The Greensnout parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Greensnout parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Greensnout 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.

More photos

Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) — Scaridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hectonichus (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) — Scaridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Michal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) — Scaridae — 4
Debra Baker (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Greensnout parrotfish (Scarus spinus) — Scaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jon Aull, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Greensnout parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus spinus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Greensnout parrotfish; Parrotfish; Pygmy parrotfish; Spiny parrotfish; Yellowhead parrotfish; Yellow-head parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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

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