Ember parrotfish


The ember parrotfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a parrotfish, in the family Scaridae. It is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is also known as the bicolor parrotfish and the redlip parrotfish.

Distribution

The ember parrotfish is widespread and abundant. It has been found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with its range including Japan, eastern Africa, and the Hawaiian islands.

Description

The species is sexually dimorphic, with the males possessing a bright, greenish-blue color while the females are a duller brown.

Habitat and behavior

Diet includes aquatic plants and benthic algae, which they scrape off rocks using their beak.

Importance to humans

The ember parrotfish is commercially fished, and can be kept in saltwater aquariums.

Etymology

The genus name, Scarus, comes from the Greek word "skaros", meaning "parrotfish".