Stoplight Parrotfish

Description:

Parrotfish owe their name to the shape of their mouth. Instead of teeth they have two beak-like plates, like parrots. They have even rows of large, noticeable scales on their bodies. Terminal phase: Body emerald green with a bright yellow spot at the upper corner of the gill cover, a yellow area at the base of the tail and a salmon to yellow crescent on the tail. The female usually has red-brown upper parts with a red belly and conspicuous white dots on the body. Size up to 64 cm. Initial phase: Upper body and head mottled reddish brown, mixed with white scales and a crescent on the tail. Belly and tail red (S. viride-initial phase). Juvenile phase: Body dark reddish brown with three rows of widely spaced white spots. Belly lighter and a white bar on the tail (S. viride juvenile).

Habitat:

Reef near Stingray City.