Description :

Called the “parrotfish” or “catfish,” the parrotfish belongs to the family Scaridae. There are several species adapted to their specific habitats. In the Caribbean, notable species include:

• Royal Parrotfish: The male is recognizable by its blue body highlighted with fuchsia pink and emerald green. The female has a gray back and two large oblique white stripes on the belly.
• Three-Color Parrotfish: The male has a primarily green body highlighted with multiple colored spots—blue, purple, orange, yellow, etc. The female has a red belly and a black-and-white checkered pattern on the back scales.
• Flame Parrotfish (or Princess Parrotfish): Also very colorful, it is easily recognized by a long oblique yellow mark on its flanks (like a flame). The female is covered with horizontal black-and-white stripes.

Parrotfish can lighten or darken their colors at will.

Parrotfish play a crucial role in marine ecosystems: they eat dead coral and algae trapped in healthy corals. By digesting these materials, they produce sand in their excrement, generating approximately 300 kg per year.

Habitat :

Parrotfish live in various tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Their specific habitat depends on the species and location, ranging from coral lagoons to reefs and rocky areas, generally at depths between 1 and 30 meters.

Threats :

Overfishing poses a serious threat to parrotfish survival. Highly valued in Caribbean cuisine for its fatty flesh, the species is declining in local waters. In response, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines banned parrotfish fishing in their waters as of December 1, 2019. Currently, these restrictions have not been extended to neighboring islands.