Scarus guacamaia Cuvier, 1829
Rainbow parrotfish
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae
Max. size:  120 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 20 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 25 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida (USA), and the Bahamas to Argentina; absent in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Fins dull orange with tongues of green extending into the dorsal and anal; margins of median fins blue; dental plates blue-green. There appears to be no obvious difference in color with sex (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Inhabits coral reefs. Young are commonly found in mangrove areas. Feeds mainly on benthic algae (Ref. 3802). Known to have a home cave to which it retires at night or when danger threatens; makes use of the sun as an aid to locating the cave.
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 24 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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