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Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) — Scaridae

Bluebridle parrotfish

Scarus dimidiatus
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1–25 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; coral-rich sheltered reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowbarred parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the western Pacific. The species has a parrot-like beak of fused tooth plates; adult males are green-blue with yellow and pink tints, females and juveniles more inconspicuous. It inhabits coral-rich parts of clear, protected reefs. It scrapes algae and growth from coral and rock. It is protogynous: females can change into males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluebridle parrotfish?

The Bluebridle parrotfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Parrot beak; green-blue male with yellow tints, protogynous.

Where does the Bluebridle parrotfish live?

The Bluebridle parrotfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; coral-rich sheltered reefs.

How big does the Bluebridle parrotfish get?

The Bluebridle parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Bluebridle parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluebridle parrotfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluebridle parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Bluebridle parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) — Scaridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Michal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) — Scaridae — 3
Nicola Crockford (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Enot Poluskuns, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluebridle parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) — Scaridae — 5
talaok (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluebridle parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Scarus dimidiatus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Blue-bridle parrotfish; Captain parrotfish; Parrotfish; Saddled parrotfish; Yellowbarred parrotfish; Turquoise-capped parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
25 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; coral-rich sheltered reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm, scraped from coral and rock sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Parrot beak; green-blue male with yellow tints, protogynous. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

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