Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Scarus Higher classification Scarus | Phylum Chordata Family Scaridae Scientific name Scarus rubroviolaceus Rank Species | |
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Similar Parrotfish, Scarus, Blue‑barred Parrotfish, Scarus psittacus, Swarthy Parrotfish | ||
The ember parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) is a species of parrotfish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is also known as the bicolor parrotfish and the redlip parrotfish.
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Distribution
The ember parrotfish is widespread and abundant. It has been found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with its range including Japan, eastern Africa, and the Hawaiian islands.
Description
The species is sexually dimorphic, with the males possessing a bright, greenish-blue color while the females are a duller brown.
Habitat and behavior
Diet includes aquatic plants and benthic algea, which they scrape off rocks using their beak.
Importance to humans
The ember parrotfish is commercially fished, and can be kept in saltwater aquariums.
Etymology
The genus name, Scarus, comes from the Greek word "skaros", meaning "parrotfish".
References
Ember parrotfish Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA