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Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) — Scaridae

Bumphead parrotfish

Scarus perrico
Family: Scaridae

The Bumphead parrotfish (Scarus perrico) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–36.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Bumphead parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from reef water of the eastern Pacific, from Mexico to Panama. The species grows to about 76 cm and has a robust, green body with a steep, bulging head 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 Bumphead parrotfish?

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

Where does the Bumphead parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Bumphead parrotfish get?

The Bumphead parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Bumphead parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bumphead parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bumphead parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Bumphead parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mexicaanse bultkop-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Bumphead parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus perrico
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Bumphead parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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