Redband parrotfish

📖 Overview

Inhabits coral reefs, young usually in adjacent seagrass beds. Often rests on the bottom . Feeds on plants. Solitary or in small groups. A protogynous hermaphrodite .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Adults of both sexes have distinct white spot behind base of dorsal fin; super males with red line from corner of mouth to below back of eye; and 2 or more jet-black spots on side above pectoral fin . The smaller color phase is brown or greenish brown with a dark blue cast on the back and sides, becoming red ventrally .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Sparisoma aurofrenatum is solitary or found in small groups. It may found resting on the bottom. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite. While swimming about reefs, this fish will use only its pectoral fins. Only when requiring a sudden burst of speed will it use its tail. Specimens may be seen defecating frequently, which appears as a white cloud as it is mostly composed of coral limestone.

🦐 Diet

Sparisoma aurofrenatum is a herbivore, feeding on algae and polyps it scrapes from rocks and coral using its 'beak'.

🥚 Reproduction

A monandric species . Length at sex change = 17.5 cm TL . Forms harem groups composed of a single male and several smaller females . Also Ref. 103751.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 20 m . Subtropical; 33°N - 8°N, 98°W - 51°W

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 103 records indexed .

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