Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Sparisoma Higher classification Sparisoma | Phylum Chordata Family Scaridae Scientific name Sparisoma chrysopterum Rank Species | |
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Similar Sparisoma, Parrotfish, Sparisoma aurofrenatum, Sparisoma rubripinne, Sparisoma radians | ||
Sparisoma chrysopterum, common names the redtail parrotfish, blue parrotfish, kwab, pink kwab, pink parrot, blisterside, and blue black-finned chub, is a species of parrotfish.
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Description
The upper end of the pectoral fin base shows black saddle-shaped markings while they are young adults. Commonly, there is a light, saddle-shaped area on top of caudal peduncle. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are orange or red in colour.
Juvenile specimens or those in the initial phase have a mottled pattern similar to the substratum. This provides camouflage when they rest on the sea floor.
Distribution
This species lives in the western Atlantic Ocean from Brazil in the south, north to Florida and the Bahamas. It also occurs throughout the Caribbean Sea.
Diet
Sparisoma chrysopterum This species grazes on seagrasses and algae growing in the benthic zone.
Parasites
This species is known to host an ectoparasite in the Caligus genus named Caligus atromaculatus (C.B. Wilson, 1913).