Perfect description of the juvenile one in "Bellwood, David R., & Choat, J.H., 1989. A description of the juvenile phase colour patterns of 24 parrotfish species (family Scaridae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 41(1): 1–41. [30 June 1989", page 21
Bridled Parrotfish
Scarus frenatus
Also known as: Fall Parrotfish, Sixband Parrotfish, Six-banded Parrotfish, Vermiculate Parrotfish
- Fall Parrotfish
- Sixband Parrotfish
- Six-banded Parrotfish
- Vermiculate Parrotfish
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly, or in mixed schools, foraging for food, over shallow waters, of exposed outer reefs, rich in algae growth.
Parrotfish are hermaphrodites and live in harems with a dominant male. They are not territorial, living and feeding in harmony with other species.
Their teeth are fused into powerful beaks which are used for grabbing filamentous algae from dead coral, often found feeding in a cloud of sediment.
At night parrotfish make a sleeping bag out of slime bubbles for protection against predators.
These beautiful fish whose males usually outshine the females for colour also change dramatically from juvenile to adult.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Exact location · 15
- Country only · 35
Found singly, or in mixed schools, foraging for food, over shallow waters, of exposed outer reefs, rich in algae growth.
Adult photos 50
Discussion 1
1 comment
- klaus81· 5 May 2011
Deep dive
More in the family
Parrotfishes (Scaridae)

Azure Parrotfish
Scarus compressus
1 photo

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Chlorurus bleekeri
8 photos

Blue Parrotfish
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Blue-barred Parrotfish
Scarus ghobban
61 photos

Bluelip Parrofish
Cryptotomus roseus
Bluemoon Parrotfish
Chlorurus atrilunula
0 photos

Bluepatch Parrotfish
Scarus forsteni

Bower's Parrotfish
Chlorurus bowersi
1 photo

Bucktooth Parrotfish
Sparisoma radians

Bumphead Parrotfish
Scarus perrico
1 photo

Candelomoa Parrotfish
Hipposcarus harid

