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Azure parrotfish (Scarus compressus) — Scaridae

Azure parrotfish

Scarus compressus
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Azure parrotfish (Scarus compressus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 68 cm.

Length
68 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–24.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The azure parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a robust body and a parrot-like beak, formed by fused tooth plates, with which it scrapes algae and growth from rocks and coral. Adults live on rocky, boulder-strewn reefs and slopes, often with stony coral. It is protogynous: females can change into males, changing colour markedly in the process. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azure parrotfish?

The Azure parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Azure parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Azure parrotfish get?

The Azure parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 68 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Azure parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Azure parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Azure parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Azure parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwbruine papegaaivis sourced
English name
Azure parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Scarus compressus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Azure parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
68.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue 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
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
24.0 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
Commonly eaten sourced
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 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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