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Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) — Scaridae

Yellowbar parrotfish

Calotomus zonarchus
Family: Scaridae

The Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–170.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowbar parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) endemic to the waters around Hawaii. The species grows to about 33 cm and has an elongate, green-brown body with a yellowish bar; the mouth is beak-shaped but with less strongly fused teeth than in tropical parrotfishes. As a reef-dweller it grazes weed and seagrass on rocky and seagrass-covered bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowbar parrotfish?

The Yellowbar parrotfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Yellowbar parrotfish live?

The Yellowbar parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii

How big does the Yellowbar parrotfish get?

The Yellowbar parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Yellowbar parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowbar parrotfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Yellowbar parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Yellowbar parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) — Scaridae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) — Scaridae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) — Scaridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / John Otterbein Snyder (Public domain)
Yellowbar parrotfish (Calotomus zonarchus) — Scaridae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowbar parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Calotomus zonarchus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Yellowbar parrotfish; Yellowbar parrot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
170.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Midway Is., Hawaii sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Calotomus

More from the family Scaridae

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