WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Yellow-barred Parrotfish

Scarus dimidiatus

Also known as: Bluebridle Parrotfish, Captain Parrotfish, Dusky-capped Parrotfish, Five-saddle Parrotfish, Saddled Parrotfish, Turquoise-capped Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@mjwel · on ship, Vanuatu · March 20131 / 3
01

Overview

Found foraging for food, over clear, protected waters, of 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

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found foraging for food, over clear, protected waters, of lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyScaridae
    2. genusScarus
    3. speciesScarus dimidiatus Bleeker, 1859

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Parrotfishes (Scaridae)