Palenose Parrotfish (species: Scarus psittacus) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Chordata > Vertebrata > Actinopterygii > Perciformes > Scaridae > Scarus > Scarus psittacus (gallery)
Scarus psittacus
Palenose Parrotfish


©Rick Stuart-Smith: Scarus psittacus, Lizard Island area.

©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)

©Graham Edgar: A male Scarus psittacus at Cod Hole near Lizard Island.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Scaridae
Genus Scarus
Species Scarus psittacus

Show in taxonomy
Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

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