Greenblotch Parrotfish, Scarus quoyi Valenciennes, 1840

Introduction

Juvenile and female Greenblotch Parrotfish are mainly coloured pale grey-brown, distinguished from males that are mainly blue-green. The species occurs on coral reefs of the Western Pacific.

Identification

Juvenile and female Greenblotch Parrotfish are pale grey-brown with five or six faint white bars on the body. There are three pale stripes on the belly. Mature males are blue-green with pinkish scale margins. The operculum is orange dorsally and violet ventrally. There is a patch of blue-green on the cheek and across the snout.

Habitat

The species is usually seen on coral reefs.

Distribution

It occurs in the Western Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.