Chameleon Parrotfish

Scarus chameleon

The Chameleon Parrotfish is known for its ability to change color rapidly, making it a challenging species to identify. It reaches a maximum length of 31 cm, with females maturing at around 115 mm. This species exhibits different color phases as it grows, with juveniles, initial phase, and terminal phase individuals showing highly variable colorations. The initial phase includes females and primary males, which can resemble the closely related S. rivulatus. Terminal phase males are more distinct but can also change colors quickly. This parrotfish inhabits coral reefs in the Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans, ranging from Christmas Island and Western Australia to Fiji, and as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and south to Lord Howe Island. It is typically found in outer reef flats, exposed lagoons, and seaward slopes at depths of 3 to 30 meters, although most occurrences are shallower than 10 meters. Feeding primarily on algae, the Chameleon Parrotfish is often seen in schools of mixed species, especially females, while males tend to be more solitary. They are oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is classified as Least Concern.