Star-Eye Parrotfish

Calotomus carolinus

The star-eye parrotfish (Calotomus carolinus), also known as Caroline's parrotfish or the stareye parrotfish, is a medium-sized parrotfish reaching up to 50 cm. It has a mottled brown to reddish body with distinctive bright radiating lines around each eye creating a star-like pattern. Found across the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Hawaii and the eastern Pacific, it inhabits coral reefs, rocky areas, and algae-covered substrates at depths of 1 to 46 meters. Unlike many parrotfish that use beak-like fused teeth, this species has individual teeth and feeds by tearing rather than scraping algae from surfaces. Its more subdued coloring compared to other parrotfish, combined with the unique eye pattern, makes it an interesting find for divers familiar with reef fish identification. It is often seen grazing individually or in small loose groups across reef flats.