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Tricolour parrotfish (Scarus tricolor) — Scaridae

Tricolour parrotfish

Scarus tricolor
Family: Scaridae

The Tricolour parrotfish (Scarus tricolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
52.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Tricolour parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 55 cm and has a green to blue-green body with yellow and pink tints 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 Tricolour parrotfish?

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

Where does the Tricolour parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Tricolour parrotfish get?

The Tricolour parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 53 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Tricolour parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tricolour parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Tricolour parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Tricolour parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Driekleur-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Tricolour parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus tricolor
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Three-colour parrotfish; Tricolor parrotfish; Tricolour parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.7 verified
Average length (cm)
17.5 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
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 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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