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Black parrot (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) — Scaridae

Black parrot

Sparisoma aurofrenatum
Family: Scaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black parrot (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The redband parrotfish (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) is a parrotfish of the family Scaridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a powerful body and a beak-like mouth of fused teeth with which it scrapes algae from the reef. The colour changes strongly with life stage and sex: the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, in which fish first function as females and later turn into colourful males. It inhabits coral reefs, while juveniles often live on adjacent seagrass beds. The fish feeds on algae, often rests on the bottom and reaches about 28 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black parrot?

The Black parrot has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a flame-patterned pattern.

Where does the Black parrot live?

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

How big does the Black parrot get?

The Black parrot grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black parrot dangerous to humans?

The Black parrot is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Black parrot edible?

The Black parrot is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodband-papegaaivis sourced
English name
Black parrot verified
Scientific name
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Blisterside; Gutong; Rainbow parrot; Redband parrotfish; Redband Parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Flame-patterned inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 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
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Sparisoma

More from the family Scaridae

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