WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Candelomoa Parrotfish

Hipposcarus harid

Also known as: Candeloma Parrotfish, Indian Longnose Parrotfish, Indian Ocean Longnose Parrotfish, Longnose Parrotfish, Long-nosed Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · February 20071 / 25

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

01

Overview

Found in schools, foraging for food, over reef flats, of coral 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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
mottled

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 24
LIVES IN

Found in schools, foraging for food, over reef flats, of coral reefs, rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 25

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyScaridae
    2. genusHipposcarus
    3. speciesHipposcarus harid (Forsskål, 1775)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Parrotfishes (Scaridae)