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Pacific longnose parrotfish (Hipposcarus longiceps) — Scaridae

Pacific longnose parrotfish

Hipposcarus longiceps
Family: Scaridae

The Pacific longnose parrotfish (Hipposcarus longiceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific longnose parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an elongate body with a conspicuously long snout and fused, beak-like teeth; adult males are blue-green, females greyish. With its beak it rasps algae and coral from the reef, producing fine sand. Like many parrotfish it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific longnose parrotfish?

The Pacific longnose parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Pacific longnose parrotfish live?

The Pacific longnose parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Pacific longnose parrotfish get?

The Pacific longnose parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 48 cm.

Is the Pacific longnose parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific longnose parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific longnose parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Pacific longnose parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Pacific longnose parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Hipposcarus longiceps
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Long-nosed parrotfish; Pacific longnose; Pacific longnose parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
48.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hipposcarus

More from the family Scaridae

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