Ryan Photographic - Scarinae - Parrotfishes

Family Scaridae

The family Scaridae contains the well-known parrotfish - so named for their beak-like mouth. Although they are listed in the family Scaridae here, some authorities believe they belong with the wrasses, family Labridae. At the time I wrote this Fishbase recognized 83 species in 9 genera.

They are important coral reef species feeding on algae, coralline algae and in some species, coral polyps. They eat substantial amounts of coral rock and coralline algae which helps them break down the other algae they eat. Wikipedia states that a parrotfish can produce 90 kgs of coral sand a year - so next time you lounge on that beautiful tropical beach remember where it comes from ...

Parrotfishes exhibit a wide variety of color patterns both within and between species. Juvenile parrotfish are usually differently colored from adults. Sex change is common. Many start off as females and then change to males as they get bigger. Males and females are usually differently colored.

A few species secrete a mucus cocoon around themselves at night, eating it in the morning, thereby recyclng nutrients. The cocoon is supposed to mask their scent from olfactory predators such as moray eels. In addition, the very act of touching the cocoon gives the parrotfish a warning that something is amiss.

The largest of the parrotfish is the bumphead parrotfish which supposedly reaches 1.3m. Having been lucky enough to see a herd of these magnificent fish in the Raja Ampat Islands I have to question this upper size limit - however, the excitement of seeing 20-30 of these massive fish going about their business feeding is enough to suspend all critical faculties so perhaps they just loomed larger in my memories.

Bulbometopon muricatum Bumphead parrotfish

Chlorurus microrhinos Steephead parrotfish

Chlorurus sordidus bullethead parrotfish

Hipposcarus harid Longnose parrotfish

Leptoscarus vaigensis Marbled parrotfish

Scarus dimidiatus Yellow-barred parrotfish

Scarus ferrugineus Rusty parrotfish

Scarus forsteri Bluepatch parrotfish

Scarus ghobban Blue-barred parrotfish

Scarus prasiognathus Greenthroat parrotfish

Scarus rubroviolaceus Redlip parrotfish

Scarus schlegeli Yellowbar parrotfish

Scarus taeniopterus Princess parrotfish

Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband parrotfish

Sparisoma viride Stoplight parrotfish

Wrasses and parrotfish

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