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Yellow-tail parrotfish (Scarus hypselopterus) — Scaridae

Yellow-tail parrotfish

Scarus hypselopterus
Family: Scaridae

The Yellow-tail parrotfish (Scarus hypselopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellow-tail parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the western Pacific, around Indonesia and the Philippines. The species grows to about 31 cm and has an elongate body and a beak-shaped mouth of fused teeth; adult males are blue-green, females and juveniles brownish with a yellowish tail. As a reef-dweller it rasps algae from coral and rocks, contributing to sand formation. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow-tail parrotfish?

The Yellow-tail parrotfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Yellow-tail parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Yellow-tail parrotfish get?

The Yellow-tail parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Yellow-tail parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow-tail parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellow-tail parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Yellow-tail parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oost-Indische papegaaivis sourced
English name
Yellow-tail parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus hypselopterus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
East Indies parrotfish; Java parrotfish; Parrotfish; Yellow-tail verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
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 Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

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