WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Eclipse Parrotfish

Scarus russelii

Also known as: Russell's Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · February 20071 / 4
01

Overview

Found singly, foraging for food, over shallow, coral rubble and sandy areas, of coastal reefs and outer reef slopes, 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
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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean, Eastern Indian Ocean
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly, foraging for food, over shallow, coral rubble and sandy areas, of coastal reefs and outer reef slopes, rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 4

05

Discussion 1

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1 comment

  • Debz Oscroft· 27 Nov 2019

    I have recently photographed one on 2 Mile Reef in Sodwana Bay South Africa!

ALL STAGES
FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

  1. familyScaridae
  2. genusScarus
  3. speciesScarus russelii Valenciennes, 1840

SourcesWoRMSFishBase

06

More in the family

Parrotfishes (Scaridae)