Species · GBIF taxon 2393681
Queen Parrotfish
Scarus vetulaAlso known as Blownose, Blue Chub, Blueman, Moontail
Queen parrotfish are vibrant reef residents famous for their dramatic color transformations and vital role in maintaining coral health. Females and young males sport a reddish-brown body with a broad white stripe along the lower side, while mature terminal-phase males dazzle in brilliant blue-green with pink and orange highlights around their mouths. Using their fused, beak-like teeth, they scrape algae off dead coral, grinding the limestone into fine white sand that helps build tropical beaches.
Reef-DwellingColor-ChangingAlgae-Eater
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Benthic Algae
- Epilithic Microalgae
- Detritus
Predators
- Moray Eels
- Groupers
- Reef Sharks
ThreatsHabitat loss from coral bleaching, overfishing, and coastal development.
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky shorelines, and seagrass beds down to 25 meters.
Life spanApproximately 5 to 7 years.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScaridae
- SpeciesScarus vetula
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
- Listen closely: Snorkelers can often hear the distinct scraping sound of their beak-like teeth crunching on coral.
- Watch for sand: Look below feeding individuals to see them excrete clouds of newly processed white sand.
- Keep your distance: Approach slowly without sudden movements to watch their natural foraging behavior without startling them.
Close Relative Adona9 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative LASZLO ILYES (laszlo-photo) from Cleveland, Ohio, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
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