Tricolour Parrotfish

Scarus tricolor

The Tricolour Parrotfish is a marine ray-finned fish found in the family Scaridae. It is characterized by its greenish body with pinkish or yellowish tints on the posterior portion and a purplish band inside the margin of each lobe of the caudal fin. Females display a dark grey to almost black color with blue to bluish-green lower flanks, black-edged scales, a red tail fin, and orange anal fins. Males in the terminal phase resemble those of Scarus forsteni but can be distinguished by a yellow inner pectoral axil. This species has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from East Africa to the islands of the western Pacific, including French Polynesia and Pitcairn. It is found in tropical marine environments, inhabiting seaward reefs and lagoons with dense coral growth. The Tricolour Parrotfish is typically observed at depths of 2 to 30 meters, though it has been recorded as deep as 40 meters. The Tricolour Parrotfish is herbivorous, primarily feeding on benthic algae. It is an oviparous species that forms distinct pairs during spawning. Divers may encounter this fish either solitary or in groups, often in areas with abundant coral. According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of the Tricolour Parrotfish is Least Concern.