| Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae |
| 60 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m |
| Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Island to the Line and Ducie Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa Islands; throughout Micronesia. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This is the only Scarus in which one of the middle dorsal rays of terminal males is produced into a slightly elongate filament. Small juveniles have a distinctive yellow head and striped to mottled body (Ref. 1602). |
| Often found in large groups (Ref. 90102). Adults usually seen along the reef margin of seaward reefs while juveniles and subadults are found in shallow protected reefs (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on algae (Ref. 26993). Occurs to a depth of over 50 m (Ref. 1602). Adults and subadults form groups, juveniles usually solitary (Ref. 9710). Minimum depth of 1 m reported from Ref. 90102. |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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