Animal Species:Sixband Parrotfish, Scarus frenatus (Lacépède, 1802)

The Sixband Parrotfish is found on coral reefs in tropical marine waters. It can be recognised by its colouration.

Sixband Parrotfish, Scarus frenatus

Sixband Parrotfish, Scarus frenatus
Ian Shaw © Ian Shaw

Alternative Name/s

Bridled Parrotfish

Identification

The Sixband Parrotfish can be recognised by its colouration. Initial phase fish are brown to reddish with red fins and six or seven dark stripes along the sides of the body. Terminal phase males are abruptly lighter on the lower half of the head and posteriorly on the body. The caudal fin of males is blue-green with a large orange, crescent-shaped region. It has elongate lobes.

Size range

The species grows to 47 cm in length.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to southern 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.

Scarus frenatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Sixband Parrotfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It usually occurs on coral reefs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Classification

Species:
frenatus
Genus:
Scarus
Family:
Scaridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Choat, J.H. & J.E. Randall. 1986. A Review of the Parrotfishes (Family Scaridae) of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia with Description of a New Species. Records of the Australian Museum. 38: 175-228.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Sixband Parrotfish, Scarus frenatus, Scaridae, brown, red, white, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, coral reef, marine, adult,