Redtail parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sparisoma chrysopterum
- Common name
- Redtail parrotfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Sparisoma
- Size
- 25–46 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, seagrass
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling, grazer
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Sparisoma chrysopterum reaches 46 cm. Caribbean parrotfish with dimorphism. Terminal males bright blue-green with yellow-orange tail (hence chrysopterum, golden wings) and distinctive black-white spot on pectoral fin base. Females red-brown spotted, more discreet. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives from 1 to 30 m on coral reefs and seagrass of Caribbean. Herbivore grazing algae. Coral bioerosion contributor. Appreciated photo subject for its color contrasts.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Redtail parrotfish?
- Redtail parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) reaches 25–46 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Redtail parrotfish?
- Redtail parrotfish is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Redtail parrotfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Redtail parrotfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Redtail parrotfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Sparisoma
- Sparisoma rubripinne - Yellowtail parrotfish
- Sparisoma viride - Stoplight parrotfish
- Sparisoma cretense - Mediterranean parrotfish
- Sparisoma strigatum - Cape Verde parrotfish
- Sparisoma atomarium - Atomium Parrotfish
- Sparisoma radians - Radiant Parrotfish
Other species in the family Labridae
- Labrus merula - Brown wrasse
- Bodianus rufus - Spanish hogfish
- Bodianus pulchellus - Cuban hogfish
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
- Scarus iseri - Striped parrotfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273774)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2393900)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia