Latin name

Scarus rubroviolaceus

Other name

Bicolor parrotfish, redlip parrotfish.

Identification

The genus name, Scarus, comes from the Greek word "skaros", meaning "parrotfish". The body of the Ember Parrotfish is elongated with a blunt head and thick body. They have large scales and a characteristic bird's beak formed by fused jaw teeth.

Features of fish fins

A single fin rises above the body of these fish, which are covered with large scales. The pectoral fins are well developed. They use their pectoral fins for locomotion.

Fish colouring

This species is sexually dimorphic, the males being bright greenish-blue and the females more dull brown.

Distribution

Widespread and abundant in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, its range includes Japan, East Africa and the Hawaiian Islands.

Habitat

Juveniles of these fish can sometimes be seen in small schools, but as they mature they move out to deeper reefs.

Size

These fish range from 12 to 20 inches in length. They can live up to 20 years.

Behavior

Ember parrotfish prefer to live in shallow water.

Food and feeding habits

Their diet consists of aquatic plants and bottom algae, which they scrape off rocks with their beaks. 

Reproduction

These fish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they change sex at some point in their lives. Juvenile parrotfish are sexually undifferentiated. As it grows, reaching a body length of about 32 centimetres at about 2.6 years of age, the female becomes reddish brown. She remains female for some time, and when she reaches a body length of 37 centimetres (about 13 years old), she changes sex to male. However, some remain female for life.

Fishing

Ember parrotfish are targeted by commercial fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. Can be kept in marine aquariums.