Scarus psittacus
Palenose Parrotfish
©Anne Hoggett: The colourful fish in the centre is terminal phase Scarus psittacus on the reef crest at Hicks Reef near Lizard Island. The two fish above with bright red pelvic fins are initial phase individuals of the same species. Note that dental plates are concealed by lips and there is a faint but distinctive white border on the tail of the lower IP individual. (Identified by Howard Choat) The fish below with red lips and exposed dental plates is an IP Chlorurus spilurus. (Identified by Howard Choat)
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Scaridae
Genus
Scarus
Species
Scarus psittacus
Colours
Distinguishing features
Distinguishing features still need to be specified.
Size
- Up to 30 cm (Length of specimen)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Bellwood, D.R. and J.H. Choat (1989). A description of the juvenile phase colour patterns of 24 parrotfish species (Family Scaridae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Records of the Australian Museum, 41: 1-41. LIRS catalog number 264.
Other references
- Bellwood, D.R. (1985). The functional morphology, systematics and behavioural ecology of parrotfishes (Family Scaridae), Ph.D. thesis, James Cook University, Townsville. LIRS catalog number 310.
- Bellwood, D.R. (1985). The functional morphology, systematics and behavioural ecology of parrotfishes (Family Scaridae), Ph.D. thesis, James Cook University, Townsville. LIRS catalog number 310.
- View all references