Sparisoma_aurofrenatum

<i>Sparisoma aurofrenatum</i>

Sparisoma aurofrenatum

Species of fish

Sparisoma aurofrenatum (common names: redband parrotfish, gutong, rainbow parrot, black parrot, and blisterside)[1] is a species of parrotfish native to the Caribbean Sea and Western Atlantic Ocean.[3]

Quick Facts Sparisoma aurofrenatum, Conservation status ...

Description

This species grows to 28 cm.

Initial phase

During the initial phase, the colouration varies greatly from blue-green to green to solid olive. The fins are mottled brown to red and have two white stripes. Behind the dorsal fin, a white spot is present.[4]

Juvenile phase

The body of juvenile specimens are shades of red-brown. Normally, two white stripes will be visible with a black blotch present behind the upper gill covers. A white spot will also be present behind the dorsal fin.

During both the juvenile and initial phases, colouration and markings can change quickly.[4]

Terminal phase

The body becomes greenish during the terminal phase. The underside will appear lighter and the anal fin becomes reddish. The tail becomes more square-shaped with black outer tips. The upper portion of the forebody will display a small, yellow blotch with at least two small black dots.

Normally, an orangish-pink[5] colour band will be present starting from below the eye along to the corner of the mouth. A white spot will appear behind the dorsal fin.[4]

Distribution

This species occurs throughout the Caribbean Sea, and the western Atlantic Ocean in the waters of Bermuda, Florida, the Bahamas to Central America and Brazil.[2]

Habitat

Sparisoma aurofrenatum lives on reefs in depths of 2 to 20 metres.[2] The juveniles live among seagrass beds.[6]

Behaviour

Sparisoma aurofrenatum is solitary or found in small groups. It may found resting on the bottom. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite.[2]

While swimming about reefs, this fish will use only its pectoral fins. Only when requiring a sudden burst of speed will it use its tail.[4]

Specimens may be seen defecating frequently, which appears as a white cloud as it is mostly composed of coral limestone.[4]

Diet

Sparisoma aurofrenatum is a herbivore, feeding on algae and polyps it scrapes from rocks and coral using its 'beak'.[7]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sparisoma aurofrenatum.
  1. [1]
    Rocha, L.A.; Choat, J.H.; Clements, K.D.; Russell, B.; Myers, R.; Lazuardi, M.E.; Muljadi, A.; Pardede, S.; Rahardjo, P. (2012). "Sparisoma aurofrenatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T190729A17780851. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T190729A17780851.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Sparisoma aurofrenatum" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. [3]
    "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Valenciennes, 1840)". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  4. [4]
    "Marine Species Identification Portal : Redband parrotfish - Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Species-identification.org. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  5. [5]
    "Sparisoma aurofrenatum - Redband parrotfish". Aquafind.com. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  6. [6]
    "View Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Saltcorner.com. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  7. [7]
    "Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute-Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Biogeodb.stri.si.edu. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Sparisoma_aurofrenatum, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.