RED PARROTFISH
Scarus xanthopleura
Bleeker, 1853 Pectoral rays 14-15 (usually 15); median predorsal scales 6; 3 rows of scales on cheek, the lower row with 2-3 (usually 2) scales; initial phase with no conical teeth on side of dental plates; terminal males with 1 or 2 on side of upper plate; lips only partially covering dental plates; caudal fin of both phases lunate; initial phase reddish gray, the scale edges red, with alternating dark and pale bars, more evident posteriorly; head red, broadly suffused with brown over cheek; fins red; dental plates white to pale rose; terminal males blue-green, the edges of scales narrowly salmon pink; a very large, irregular blue patch ventrally on head; dental plates deep blue-green; an irregular blue-green band from corner of mouth to below eye; short blue-green lines extending anteriorly and posteriorly from eye, and a transverse blue-green line on snout. Largest specimen examined, 54 cm. Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan to Coral Sea, east to Marshall Islands and Tuvalu; type locality, Java. Not common. Scarus atropectoralis Schultz is a synonym based on the initial phase (Randall, 1997a).

NameRed parrotfish 

Max Size52.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)

Environmentreef-associated; marine

Climatetropical

DistributionWestern Pacific: Ryukyu, Sulawesi, Palau (Belau), and Marshall Islands. Also found in Indonesia (Ref. 8631).

MorphologyDorsal spines(total): 9; Dorsal soft rays(total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9. Large primary phase individuals have a distinctive red coloration and lunate caudal fin (Ref. 1602). Females recognized by the red-outlined scales and males by their somewhat elongated snout (Ref. 48636). Median predorsal scales 6;

BiologyUncommon inhabitant of clear lagoon and seaward reefs, usually seen along drop-offs (Ref. 9710). Solitary.

Fishbase Credit - Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2005.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2005).

Scarus xanthopleura

Species (Scarus xanthopleura) 1

Genus (Scarus) 148

Family (Scaridae) 228

Location (Big Drop Off) 4

Scarus xanthopleura

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