Ember Parrotfish

The ember undefined, scientifically known as Scarus rubroviolaceus, is a fascinating marine species belonging to the undefined family, Scaridae. Commonly referred to as the bicolor undefined or redlip undefined, 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 undefined 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 undefined 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 undefined 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 undefined 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 undefined 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 undefined, reflecting their vivid colors and beak-like mouths. Overall, the ember undefined is a remarkable species that adds vibrancy to the underwater world and offers intriguing insights into aquatic life and adaptations.