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Knobsnout parrotfish (Scarus ovifrons) — Scaridae

Knobsnout parrotfish

Scarus ovifrons
Family: Scaridae

The Knobsnout parrotfish (Scarus ovifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 78 cm.

Length
78 cm
Water
Saltwater
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Knobsnout parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from reef water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a green to blue-green body with a bulging snout in large males 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 Knobsnout parrotfish?

The Knobsnout parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Knobsnout parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Knobsnout parrotfish get?

The Knobsnout parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 78 cm.

Is the Knobsnout parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Knobsnout parrotfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Knobbel-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Knobsnout parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus ovifrons
Family
Scaridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
78.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
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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