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Bluelip Parrotfish (Cryptotomus roseus) — Scaridae

Bluelip Parrotfish

Cryptotomus roseus
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluelip Parrotfish (Cryptotomus roseus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–60.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The bluelip parrotfish is a small, slender parrotfish (Scaridae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, pink to greenish body with blue tints around the mouth and parrot-like tooth plates. It inhabits seagrass beds and vegetated sand bottoms. Unlike most reef parrotfishes it grazes mainly on seagrass. At night it buries in the sand and envelops itself in a mucus cocoon to sleep. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluelip Parrotfish?

The Bluelip Parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bluelip Parrotfish live?

The Bluelip Parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bluelip Parrotfish get?

The Bluelip Parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Bluelip Parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluelip Parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluelip Parrotfish edible?

The Bluelip Parrotfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwlip-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Bluelip Parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Cryptotomus roseus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Bluelip parrotfish; Manytooth parrotfish; Slender parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Scaridae

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