| Family: |
Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Sparisomatinae |
| Max. size: |
47.8 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic and the Caribbean. Confused with Southwest Atlantic specimens referring to Sparisoma axillare and Eastern Atlantic species referring to S. chaoti (Ref. 88982). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Juveniles and adults in drab phase (which are either mature males or females) are light grayish brown, nearly white ventrally; alternate dark and pale bars cross the chin; caudal peduncle and fin yellow; anal and pelvic fins red. Terminal phase males are dull green or blue-green with a large black spot on upper half of pectoral fin base; pectoral fins dark olive, the outer fifth abruptly pale (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coral reefs and seagrass beds. Juveniles or primary-phase fish can rapidly assume a mottled pattern as it comes to rest on the bottom. Spawning is usually a group activity in similarly colored males and females (Ref. 5521). 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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