Animal Species:Yellowfin Parrotfish, Scarus flavipectoralis Schultz, 1958

The Yellowfin Parrotfish occurs on coral reefs of the Western Pacific. The species vary in colour depending on phase.

Initial phase Yellowfin Parrotfish at Ribbon Reef

Initial phase Yellowfin Parrotfish at Ribbon Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

King Parrotfish

Identification

The initial phase Yellowfin Parrotfish is grey to brown with a paler abdomen that has faint white stripes. It has a yellow pectoral fin with a black spot at the base. Mature males (terminal phase fish) are blue to lavender anteriorly changing abruptly to greenish posteriorly. There is blue-green stripe from the snout to the pectoral fin base.

Size range

The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs on coral reefs of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from most of the Great Barrier Reef, 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 flavipectoralis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Yellowfin Parrotfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
flavipectoralis
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. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. 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 Ichthyology, Yellowfin Parrotfish, Scarus flavipectoralis, Scaridae, fishes, grey, brown, yellow, blue, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, countershaded, coral reef, marine, adult,