Marbled parrotfish
📖 Overview
Found in sheltered bays, harbors and lagoons . Inhabits seagrass areas or areas with hard substrates heavy with algal cover. Usually occur in small groups. Unlike other parrotfishes, males and females look very similar and do not change sex . Feeds on seagrasses and algae . Marketed fresh .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 25. This species distinguished by the following characters: median predorsal scales 4 (occasionally 3); 1 scale row on cheek, 1(4), below eye; pectoral-fin rays 13; relatively elongate, its depth 2.9-3.8 in SL; unique narrow dental plates composed of numerous small teeth. Colour when fresh, greenish or olive brown, often strongly mottled; male with midlateral white stripe .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Marbled parrotfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Marbled parrotfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Spawns in shallow water above grassflats on the falling tide. Investigation of sexual identity of large samples suggest the species is gonochoristic (sex-reversal do not occur), the first sparid species known to be so . Also Ref. 103751.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 m . Tropical; 30°N - 36°S, 18°E - 108°W Southeast Atlantic: False Bay, South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
seagrasses and algae (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Marbled parrotfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 97 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Marbled parrotfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue-spotted Parrotfish · Marbled Parrot-fish · marbled parrotfish · Marbled Seagrass · Petroleum Parrotfish · Seagrass Parrotfish · Seagrass Parrotfish, Marbled parrotfish · Slender Parrotfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix lloro d'algues |
| 🌍CES | ploskozubec travní |
| 🇩🇪German | Seegras-Papageifisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Perroquet des herbiers · Perroquet marbré · Perroquet Pétrole |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce pappagallo marmorizzato |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Mizorebudai · ミゾレブダイ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Dunya · Lundo · Nyabugui · Papagaio · Papagaio Manchado · Peixe-papagaio-frondoso |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Лептоскар |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Loro Jaspeado |
| 🌍SWA | Pono |
| 🌍TAH | tapi'o |
| 🌍TGL | Isdang loro · Luro · Lutiin |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 纖鸚嘴魚 · 纖鸚鯉 · 臊魚 · 蠔魚 · 鸚哥 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calliodon chlorolepis | Richardson | 1844 | Synonym |
| Calliodon chlorolepsis | Richardson | 1844 | Synonym |
| Leptoscarus coeruleopunctatus | Rüppell | 1835 | Synonym |
| Leptoscarus vaigeinsis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Leptoscarus vaigensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Leptoscarus vaigienis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Scarichthys auritus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarichthys caeruleopunctatus | Rüppell | 1835 | Synonym |
| Scarus auritus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarus bottae | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarus caeruleo-punctatus | Rüppell | 1835 | Synonym |
| Scarus coeruleopunctatus | Rüppell | 1835 | Synonym |
| Scarus naevius | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarus rubronotatus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarus vaigiensis | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 28 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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