WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Dotted Parrotfish

Calotomus viridescens

Also known as: Spinytooth Parrotfish, Viridescent Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@bottleofscotch1 · Taba Heights, Egypt · October 20131 / 6
01

Overview

Found singly or in small schools, over coral, rocks and seagrass beds of rocky reefs, rich in algae growth.
Western Indian Ocean - Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

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
linesspots
Fins & Tail
stripe tail

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Country only · 6
LIVES IN

Found singly or in small schools, over coral, rocks and seagrass beds of rocky reefs, rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 6

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyScaridae
    2. genusCalotomus
    3. speciesCalotomus viridescens (Rüppell, 1835)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Parrotfishes (Scaridae)