Stoplight parrotfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits coral reefs with clear water . Young may be found in seagrass beds and other heavily vegetated bottoms. Feeds mainly on soft algae, but has been observed to graze on live corals like, Montastraea annularis . Produces a significant amount of sediment through bioerosion using its strong beak-like jaws and constantly re-growing teeth . Protogynous; strictly diurnal, spends the night sleeping on the bottom . Found singly or small in small groups.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Relationship between fork length (FL) and maximum body depth (D): D = 0.10 + 0.33(FL); FL = -0.40 + 3.06(D), for n = 79, length range (cm, FL) = 13.5-25.5 . A distinctive, colorful and abundant fish. Young adults and females with scales outlined in darker gray; often bright red below. Super males green, with bright yellow spot at upper edge of gill cover, yellow bar at base of tail, curved orange-yellow mark on caudal fin rays . Initial phase fish with a brown head, the scales of the upper two-thirds of the body with pale centers and dark brown edges, the lower third of body and fins bright red. Terminal phase males are green with three diagonal orange bands on upper half of head: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Stoplight parrotfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Stoplight parrotfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
The type of reproductive behavior is related to the color phase of the males involved.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 50 m . Subtropical; 34°N - 21°S, 98°W - 28°W
🌿 Ecology
soft algae, but has been observed to graze on live corals like, Montastraea annularis (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarus catesby | Lacepede | 1802 | Synonym |
| Scarus coccineus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Scarus melanotis | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Scarus viridis | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Sparisoma albigaardi | Bloch | 1791 | Heterotypic |
| Sparus aureoruber | Lacepede | 1802 | Synonym |
| Sparus catesby | Lacepede | 1802 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 85 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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