Parrotfish
📖 Overview
In shallow water along rocky shores. Feed on algae and small invertebrates . Herbivore species with specialized pharyngeal bones and muscles . Breeding occurs from July to September, with juveniles recruiting in late summer in Portugal .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Parrotfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Parrotfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Males matured at the same ages and sizes as did females, and size ranges of males and females overlapped, strongly suggesting gonochorism for this species .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 50 m . Subtropical; 46°N - 12°N, 32°W - 36°E south to the Canary Islands and Senegal.
🌿 Ecology
algae and small invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"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 | 19.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 172 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Parrotfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | European parrotfish · Parrotfish · Mediterranean Parrotfish |
| 🇩🇪German | Europäischer Papageifisch |
| 🌍ELL | Σκάρος |
| 🇫🇷French | Perroquet vieillard, Perroquet · perroquet · perroquet vieillard |
| 🌍HEB | תוכידג כרתי |
| 🇮🇹Italian | pesce pappagallo |
| 🌍MLT | Martzpan |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Griekse papegaaivis · papegaaivis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | veja |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Loro Viejo · Vieja · viela colorada |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | kretensisk papegojfisk |
| 🌍TUR | iskaroz · papagan baligi |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? cretense | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Calliodon rubiginosus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Euscarus cretensis | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Labrus cretensis | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Labrus xantherythrus | Rafinesque | 1810 | Synonym |
| Scarus canariensis | Valenciennes | 1838 | Synonym |
| Scarus cretense | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Scarus cretensis | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Scarus mutabilis | Lowe | 1838 | Synonym |
| Scarus rubiginoides | Guichenot | 1865 | Synonym |
| Scarus rubiginosus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Scarus siculus | Cocco | 1846 | Synonym |
| Sparidosoma cretense | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Sparisoma cretensis | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Sparisoma mutabilis | Lowe | 1838 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 722 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Parrotfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.