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Chameleon parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) — Scaridae

Chameleon parrotfish

Scarus chameleon
Family: Scaridae

The Chameleon parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Chameleon parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a colour-changing body, from brown-green to blue-green 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 Chameleon parrotfish?

The Chameleon parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Chameleon parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Chameleon parrotfish get?

The Chameleon parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Chameleon parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Chameleon parrotfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kameleon-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Chameleon parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus chameleon
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Chameleon parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Average length (cm)
24.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured 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)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

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 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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