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Agassiz's parrotfish (Sparisoma frondosum) — Scaridae

Agassiz's parrotfish

Sparisoma frondosum
Family: Scaridae

The Agassiz's parrotfish (Sparisoma frondosum) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
34.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–80.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

Agassiz's parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the western Atlantic, off South America and the Caribbean. The species grows to about 35 cm and has an elongate body and a beak-shaped mouth of fused teeth; adult males are greenish, females red-brown. As a reef-dweller it rasps algae from rocks and coral, contributing to sand formation. Like many parrotfishes it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Agassiz's parrotfish?

The Agassiz's parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Agassiz's parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Agassiz's parrotfish get?

The Agassiz's parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Agassiz's parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Agassiz's parrotfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Agassiz papegaaivis sourced
English name
Agassiz's parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Sparisoma frondosum
Family
Scaridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 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

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 Sparisoma

More from the family Scaridae

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