Home · Scaridae · Greenblotch parrotfish
Greenblotch parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) — Scaridae

Greenblotch parrotfish

Sparisoma atomarium
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Greenblotch parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–55.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The greenblotch parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small for a parrotfish; males are greenish with a red belly and a greenish blotch behind the pectoral fin, females are red-brown. It lives on deeper rocky and coral reefs with steep walls and is often seen on seagrass beds. With its parrot-like beak it scrapes algae and growth from the substrate. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenblotch parrotfish?

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

Where does the Greenblotch parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Greenblotch parrotfish get?

The Greenblotch parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Greenblotch parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenblotch parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Greenblotch parrotfish edible?

The Greenblotch parrotfish is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groenvlek-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Greenblotch parrotfish verified
Scientific name
Sparisoma atomarium
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Greenblotch Parrotfish; Greenblotch parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 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
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 Sparisoma

More from the family Scaridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →