| Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae |
| 70 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 20 years |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 36 m |
| Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 5490) and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Shark Bay, Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef. Excluding Rapa and Austral Islands (Ref. 86689). Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 5227). |
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Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 6 median predorsal scales; 3 scale rows on cheek 1(5-7), 2(5-7), 3(1-3); pectoral-fin rays 14-16 (usually 15); conical teeth on side, 0-1 on upper dental plate of female, 1-3 on terminal male; lips mainly covering half or more of dental plates; terminal male with angular snout profile; caudal fin slightly emarginate in female, lunate with prolonged lobes in terminal male. Colour of male with distinct bicolour pattern, brownish to dark green on head and anterior body and lighter green on posterior portion; female reddish brown to grey with small black spots and irregular black lines and white flakes on body (Ref. 9793, 90102). |
| Occurs solitary or in pairs in seaward reefs (Ref. 90102). Usually over rocky or coral substrates, at boulder-strewn slopes at the base of high-island cliffs where it may occur in large schools. Large adult usually on upper parts of deep slopes, but seen to about 35 m depth (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 30573). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). An uncommon species (Ref. 9338). |
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Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
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