Yellowfin Parrotfish, Scarus flavipectoralis Schultz, 1958

Scientific name: Scarus flavipectoralis
Alternative name/s:
King Parrotfish
Yellowfin Parrotfish Click to enlarge image
A male Yellowfin Parrotfish at a depth of 14m, Wheeler Reef, Great Barrier Reef off Townsville, Queensland, November 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Scarus
    Species
    flavipectoralis
    Family
    Scaridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Introduction

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

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.

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.

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.