WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Greensnout Parrotfish

Scarus spinus

Also known as: Greencap Parrotfish, Pygmy Parrotfish, Spiny Parrotfish, Yellowhead Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@CazA · Lizard Island, Australia · August 20101 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly or in harems, foraging for food, over outer lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral 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
bars
Head & Mouth
yellow cheek

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Pacific Ocean
  • Exact location · 3
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly or in harems, foraging for food, over outer lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.

04

Adult photos 7

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyScaridae
    2. genusScarus
    3. speciesScarus spinus (Kner, 1868)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Parrotfishes (Scaridae)