Sparisoma aurofrenatum
| Sparisoma aurofrenatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female specimen, initial colour phase | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Scaridae |
| Genus: | Sparisoma |
| Species: | S. aurofrenatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Valenciennes, 1840) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Scarus aurofrenatus Valenciennes, 1840 | |
Sparisoma aurofrenatum, common names the redband parrotfish, gutong, rainbow parrot, black parrot, and blisterside,[1] is a species of parrotfish.[2]
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.[3]
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.[3]
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[4] 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.[3]
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.[5]
Habitat
Sparisoma aurofrenatum lives on reefs in depths of 2 to 20 metres.[5] 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.[5]
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.[3]
Specimens may be seen defecating frequently, which appears as a white cloud as it is mostly composed of coral limestone.[3]
Diet
Sparisoma aurofrenatum is a herbivore, feeding on algae and polyps it scrapes from rocks and coral using its 'beak'.[7]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sparisoma aurofrenatum. |
- 1 2 "Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Black Parrot, Blisterside, Gutong, Rainbow Parrot, Redband Parrotfish)". Iucnredlist.org. 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Valenciennes, 1840)". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Marine Species Identification Portal : Redband parrotfish - Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Species-identification.org. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ↑ "Sparisoma aurofrenatum - Redband parrotfish". Aquafind.com. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- 1 2 3 http://fishbase.us/summary/Sparisoma-aurofrenatum.html. Retrieved September 27, 2013. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "View Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Saltcorner.com. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ↑ "Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute-Sparisoma aurofrenatum". Biogeodb.stri.si.edu. Retrieved 2013-09-27.