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Regal parrot (Scarus dubius) — Scaridae

Regal parrot

Scarus dubius
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Regal parrot (Scarus dubius) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
35.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The regal parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the central and western Pacific, in particular the Hawaiian Islands. The species reaches about 36 cm and has a stocky body and a beak-like jaw of fused teeth. It inhabits seaward reefs and scrapes algae from the coral and rocks with this beak, grinding off limestone and contributing to sand formation. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite: individuals begin as females and can later change into males, with the colour changing markedly from brownish to blue-green. The species is hardly eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Regal parrot?

The Regal parrot has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Regal parrot live?

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

How big does the Regal parrot get?

The Regal parrot grows to a maximum of about 36 cm. On average the species is around 24 cm.

Is the Regal parrot dangerous to humans?

No, the Regal parrot is harmless to humans.

Is the Regal parrot edible?

The Regal parrot is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koninklijke papegaaivis sourced
English name
Regal parrot verified
Scientific name
Scarus dubius
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Regal parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.6 verified
Average length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green 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)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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

Same genus Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

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