Swarthy Parrotfish, Scarus niger Forsskål, 1775

Introduction

The Swarthy Parrotfish can be recognised by its colouration, which varies as the fish grows. The species is a member of the family Scarinae, which has the teeth in both jaws fused into a parrot-like beak.

Identification

The Swarthy Parrotfish can be recognised by its colouration, which varies as the fish grows. Juvenile Swarthy Parrotfish have a dark brown body with blue spots. The base of the caudal fin is white and there is a large black spot on the upper and lower margins of the caudal peduncle.

Terminal phase Swarthy Parrotfish such as the one in the image have a dark purple-blue body. The teeth are blue-green and the top lip is pink with a green transverse bar above it. Irregular green bars extend from below the jaw to the eye and from the eye onto the operculum. There is a yellow-green spot at the upper end of the gill opening. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins have blue margins. Initial phase Swarthy Parrotfish are similar to terminal phase individuals, but have a pinker face and a more rounded caudal fin.

Habitat

The Swarthy Parrotfish inhabits clear lagoons, channels and outer reefs slopes. The fish is usually found at depths of 2 m to 20 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific, from the Red Sea, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to French Polynesia. In Australia the Swarthy Parrotfish is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country, and south to the central New South Wales coast.

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.

Feeding and diet

The species feeds by scraping algae from rocks and corals.

Breeding behaviours

The species is usually solitary, but males may maintain a small harem. Males and females form pairs to spawn.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
2. Choat, J. H. and 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 (4): 175-228, Pls. 1-11.
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. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 222.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 415.