---
title: Ember Parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus)
scientific_name: Scarus rubroviolaceus
common_name: Ember Parrotfish
taxon: Parrotfishes
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-11-15T19:33:48.985Z
updated: 2026-08-08T21:30:18.075Z
tags: Ember Parrotfish, Scarus rubroviolaceus, Parrotfishes, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/parrotfishes/ember-parrotfish
---

# Ember Parrotfish (*Scarus rubroviolaceus*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Parrotfishes (*Scaridae*)
- **Size:** 70 cm
- **Depth:** 1-36 m
- **Max age:** 20 yrs
- **Conservation status:** LC - Least Concern

The ember parrotfish, scientifically known as Scarus rubroviolaceus, is a fascinating marine species belonging to the parrotfish family, Scaridae. Commonly referred to as the bicolor parrotfish or redlip parrotfish, this species is a vibrant inhabitant of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is a tropical fish, generally associated with reefs, and thrives at depths ranging from 1 to 36 meters. The ember parrotfish can grow up to 70 cm in length.

This species is particularly notable for its wide distribution and abundance, having been spotted from Japan to eastern Africa, as well as around the Hawaiian Islands. One of the intriguing aspects of the ember parrotfish is its striking sexual dimorphism. Males exhibit a bright greenish-blue color, in contrast to the duller brown of the females. Adding to its uniqueness, the ember parrotfish is a sequential hermaphrodite. This means that it changes sex during its lifetime - a fascinating process beginning with the juveniles, which have undifferentiated sex.

As the fish matures, typically reaching around 32 cm in length by the age of approximately 2.6 years, it becomes a female, adopting a reddish-brown hue. Most will continue as females until about 13 years old and 37 cm in length, when a transformation into a male occurs. However, some individuals may remain female their entire lives. The ember parrotfish is known to live up to 20 years, feeding primarily on aquatic plants and benthic algae. This diet is facilitated by their beak-like mouths, which they use to scrape these foods off rocks.

In addition to their ecological role, ember parrotfish also hold commercial value. They are fished and sometimes kept in saltwater aquariums for their striking appearance. Interestingly, the genus name "Scarus" stems from the Greek word "skaros," meaning parrotfish, reflecting their vivid colors and beak-like mouths. Overall, the ember parrotfish is a remarkable species that adds vibrancy to the underwater world and offers intriguing insights into aquatic life and adaptations.

## Also known as

- **English:** bicolor parrotfish, Half & half Parrotfish, ember parrotfish
- **French:** Perroque Lie-de-vin, Perroquet Prairie, Perroquet Rouge-Violet
- **Italian:** Pesce pappagallo labbra rosse
- **German:** Nasenhöcker-Papageifisch
- **Spanish:** loro bicolor, Loro Violáceo, Loro
- **Portuguese:** Papagaio de Brasa, Peixe-papagaio-brasa
- **Czech:** ploskozubec červenofialový
- **Japanese:** ナガブダイ, Naga-budai, Nagabudai
- **Chinese:** 紅海蜇(雌), 紅紫鸚哥魚, 紅紫鸚哥魚（鈍頭鸚哥魚）
- **Russian:** Маргаритодон
- **CA:** Peix lloro brasa
- **DA:** Rødlæbet papegøjefisk
- **DIV:** Landaa
- **FIJ:** soqo
- **MSA:** Kalat, Ketarap, Perencong
- **TGL:** Isdang loro, Luro, Lutiin
- **TH:** ปลานกแก้วหางยาว

## Scientific synonyms

- *Callyodon africanus* Smith, 1955
- *Callyodon jordani* (Jenkins, 1901)
- *Callyodon ruberrimus* Jordan & Seale, 1906
- *Callyodon rubrovidaceus* (Bleeker, 1847)
- *Callyodon rubroviolaceus* (Bleeker, 1847)
- *Margaritodon africanus* (Smith, 1955)
- *Pseudoscarus jordani* Jenkins, 1901
- *Scarops jordani* (Jenkins, 1901)
- *Scarops rubroviolaceus* (Bleeker, 1847)
- *Scarus jordani* (Jenkins, 1901)

## Range

Federal Republic of Somalia, Indian Ocean, Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa

---

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