---
title: Parrotfishes (Scaridae)
scientific_name: Scaridae
common_name: Parrotfishes
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-08T12:52:19.576Z
tags: Parrotfishes, Scaridae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes
---

# Parrotfishes (*Scaridae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Scaridae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 19

## How to recognise this group

- robust, medium to large-sized body
- prominent, fused parrot-like beak
- characteristic scraping of reef surfaces

Parrotfishes are robust, oval-bodied reef fish, recognised by their fused teeth that form a prominent, parrot-like beak. Their bodies are covered in large, overlapping scales. Most species grow between 20-60 cm (8-24 in), with some exceeding 1 meter (3.3 ft). Colouration is highly variable, often featuring bright greens, blues, and yellows in complex patterns; many species display pronounced sexual dimorphism and significant colour changes throughout their life stages.

They inhabit coral-rich areas, rocky reefs, and seagrass beds from shallow intertidal zones down to approximately 30 m (100 ft), though some species range deeper. Primarily herbivorous, they use their strong beaks to scrape algal films from corals and rocks during the day. This constant grazing contributes significantly to bioerosion, grinding ingested substrate into fine sand that forms a major component of reef beaches. Some species secrete a mucous cocoon at night, forming a protective barrier against parasites and predators. These diurnal fish are frequently encountered by divers, either solitary or in schools.


## Species (19)

- [Bicolor Parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/bicolor-parrotfish)
- [Blue-barred Parrotfish (Scarus ghobban)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/blue-barred-parrotfish)
- [Bridled Parrotfish (Scarus frenatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/bridled-parrotfish)
- [Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/bullethead-parrotfish)
- [Candelamoa Parrotfish (Hipposcarus harid)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/candelamoa-parrotfish)
- [Common Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/common-parrotfish)
- [Daisy Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/daisy-parrotfish)
- [Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/dusky-parrotfish)
- [Ember Parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/ember-parrotfish)
- [Fivesaddle Parrotfish (Scarus scaber)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/fivesaddle-parrotfish)
- [Green Humphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/green-humphead-parrotfish)
- [Heavybeak Parrotfish (Chlorurus gibbus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/heavybeak-parrotfish)
- [Malindi Parrotfish (Scarus viridifucatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/malindi-parrotfish)
- [Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/marbled-parrotfish)
- [Purple-brown Parrotfish (Scarus fuscopurpureus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/purple-brown-parrotfish)
- [Purplestreak Parrotfish (Chlorurus genazonatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/purplestreak-parrotfish)
- [Red Sea Parrotfish (Scarus collana)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/red-sea-parrotfish)
- [Rusty Parrotfish (Scarus ferrugineus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/rusty-parrotfish)
- [Viridescent Parrotfish (Calotomus viridescens)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/viridescent-parrotfish)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes)*
*Updated: August 8, 2026*