Species
Bicolour Parrotfish
Cetoscarus bicolorAlso known as Red Sea Bicolour Parrotfish, Two-colour Parrotfish
Terminal phase males sport a vivid mosaic of turquoise, green, and pink, while juveniles flaunt a stark white body with an orange facial band and a prominent black dorsal eyespot. Using fused, beak-like teeth to scrape turf algae directly from limestone substrates, these robust grazers pulverize coral rock in their pharyngeal mills and expel it as fine carbonate sand. They roam Red Sea reef slopes in loose harems, where dominant females transition into colorful territorial males when social dynamics dictate.
Reef DwellerBioeroderColor Changing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBenthic turf algae, Endolithic cyanobacteria, Coral tissue
Predators
- Blacktip Reef Shark
- Giant Grouper
- Giant Trevally
ThreatsCoral reef degradation, warming-induced bleaching, and localized spearfishing
HabitatsShallow coral crests, seaward reef slopes, and sheltered lagoons
Life span15–20 years
Classification
- FamilyScaridae
- SpeciesCetoscarus bicolor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Reef Etiquette: Maintain several meters of distance to allow foraging schools to feed undisturbed.
- Listen Underwater: Tune your ears to the audible crunching sound of their beaks scraping dead coral rock.
Predator Rickard Zerpe / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
Image unavailableClose Relative Same Family Same Family
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