| Family: |
Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae |
| Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m |
| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean (Ref. 30874), then from the Philippines to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Males distinct and head looks bright yellow underwater; females drab with white teeth and some pale spots (Ref. 48636). Scales large. 4 median predorsal scales; a transverse pair of smaller scales which overlap medially in mid-dorsal line located directly anterior to 1st median scale; 3 scale rows on cheek, lower row with 1-2 (usually 2) scales. Caudal fin slightly rounded to truncate in initial phase; moderately to deeply emarginate in terminal phase. Adults in initial phase without canines on upper plate, 1 on lower; terminal-phase fish with 1-2 canines on upper and lower plates. Lips largely or entirely cover dental plates. |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coral-rich areas of outer lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Usually solitary (Ref. 9710). Females usually in small groups with a male nearby; they may mix with females of similar species (Ref. 48636). An uncommon fish patchily distributed through much of its range. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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