Redeye Parrotfish

Sparisoma axillare

The Redeye Parrotfish, known scientifically as Sparisoma axillare, is a reef-associated fish endemic to Brazil and its oceanic islands. Divers can identify this species by its distinctive bright-yellow area on the pectoral-fin axil and blackish margins on the caudal fin. The dorsal and anal fins are yellowish, while the general body color is grayish-white. In its initial phase, individuals exhibit a brownish-gray color with a yellow stain on the flanks, lacking the bright-yellow area on the caudal peduncle seen in similar species. This parrotfish inhabits coral, algal, and rocky reefs, as well as algal beds, primarily in the Southwest Atlantic. It is typically found at depths ranging from 1 to 70 meters, although most occurrences are shallower than 40 meters, with a significant number even shallower than 20 meters. The Redeye Parrotfish is an herbivore, feeding on algae, and is known to be cleaned by species such as Elacatinus figaro and Pomacanthus paru in certain regions of Brazil. Divers encountering this species can expect a harmless interaction, as it poses no threat to humans. Observing this fish in its natural habitat can provide insights into its grazing behavior and interactions with cleaning species.