Fin's Fish Guide
The Parrot fish (Sparisoma cretense) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 50 cm.
Eastern Atlantic from Portugal, the Azores and Madeira to the Canary Islands and Senegal; Mediterranean Sea, especially the eastern and southern coasts.
Description
The Mediterranean parrotfish is a reef fish of the family Scaridae reaching about 50 cm. Its jaw teeth are fused into a parrot-like beak used to scrape algae from rocks. The species shows a striking colour difference between the sexes: females are red with a grey saddle on the back and a yellow spot at the tail base, while males are uniformly greyish. Unlike most parrotfishes it is a secondary gonochorist with separate sexes. It lives along rocky shores of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean at depths up to 50 m, feeding mainly on algae. The Mediterranean parrotfish is a highly prized food fish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Parrot fish?
The Parrot fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a plain pattern. Parrotfish with fused jaw teeth forming a beak; strong difference between the sexes: females red with a grey saddle and a yellow tail blotch, males uniformly grey.
Where does the Parrot fish live?
The Parrot fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Atlantic from Portugal, the Azores and Madeira to the Canary Islands and Senegal; Mediterranean Sea, especially the eastern and southern coasts.
How big does the Parrot fish get?
The Parrot fish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.
Is the Parrot fish dangerous to humans?
No, the Parrot fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Parrot fish edible?
Yes, the Parrot fish is a highly prized food fish.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Parrot fish and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sparisoma
More from the family Scaridae
Want the complete picture on the Parrot fish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Parrot fish is one of 12,519 species in the app.