Scarus oviceps
Darkcap Parrotfish
©Anne Hoggett: Terminal phase Scarus oviceps at Lizard Island. Note dark blue/purple "cap" and two-tone pectoral fin with bright green leading edge and blue/purple trailing edge.
©Anne Hoggett: Terminal phase Scarus oviceps from above showing distinctive pectoral fins, at Lizard Island.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Scaridae
Genus
Scarus
Species
Scarus oviceps
Colours
Distinguishing features
Terminal phase: two-tone pectoral fin, pale blue/green anteriorly, dark blue/purple posteriorly; dark purple "cap" on head, body paler blue with narrow darker margins on scales.
Initial phase: pectoral fin translucent/grey; dark grey "cap" on head with darker grey stripe through eye, body paler grey with one or two wide yellow bands behind the cap.
Size
- Up to 31 cm (Length of terminal phase according to Allen et al, 2003.)
- Up to 25 cm (Length of initial phase according to Allen et al, 2003.)
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
- Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach (2003). Reef fish identification: Tropical Pacific New World Publications Inc., Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- 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.
- View all references