| Family: |
Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae |
| Max. size: |
61 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida (USA), and Bahamas to northern South America; throughout the Caribbean Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Young adults of both sexes dark gray overall, with broad white stripe slightly below mid-side. Super males have upper pectoral fin margin and upper and lower margins of tail dusky with submarginal band of brownish orange (Ref. 26938). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coral reefs and adjacent habitats. Feeds on algae scraped from rocks or dead coral. Sleeps in a mucus cocoon (Ref. 9710). Often seen in groups of one super male with several young adults, most of which are probably females (Ref. 26938). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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