Sparisoma radians (Valenciennes, 1840)
Bucktooth parrotfish
Sparisoma radians
photo by Cox, C.D.

Family:  Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Sparisomatinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 12 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida (USA), Bahamas, and eastern Gulf of Mexico through central America to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 57756).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Front of upper jaw has horizontal canine-like tusks. 2 scales between bases of pelvic fins (Ref. 26938). Drab-phase fish are olivaceous to yellowish brow, finely speckled with pale dots, many are conjoined; base and axil of pectoral fins broadly blue-green. Terminal-phase males are greenish brown with faint pale dots, some scales with reddish edges; irregular orange-red markings on opercle; a blackish bar at pectoral base; a broad blackish border posteriorly on caudal fin (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Mostly found in seagrass beds in shallow, protected waters. Feeds primarily on epiphytes and seagrass blades, leaving crescent bite marks. Darts into seagrass when frightened (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 June 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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