Parrotfishes & Wrasses
Queen Parrotfish
Scarus vetula
Species Overview
Fusiform parrotfish with fused beak-like teeth; dorsal fin IX,10, anal fin III,9. Initial phase dark gray with a broad white stripe a little below mid-side; terminal (super) males have dusky upper pectoral margins and dusky upper and lower tail margins with a brownish-orange submarginal band.
- Size
- Common 32 cm TL [12.6 in]; maximum 61 cm TL [24 in] (FishBase). ReefGuide gives 30–60 cm [1–2 ft].
- Depth range
- 3–25 m (FishBase and ReefGuide agree).
- Habitat
- Coral reefs and adjacent habitats (FishBase).
- Diet
- Herbivore; scrapes algae from rocks and dead coral (FishBase).
- Range
- Throughout the Caribbean Sea; wider range Bermuda, Florida and the Bahamas to northern South America (FishBase).
Life stages
Initial phase (young adults of both sexes, mostly female): dark gray with broad white lateral stripe; Terminal phase (super male): colorful male with dusky-edged pectoral and tail fins and orange submarginal tail band. Both phases photographed on ReefGuide.
Explore reef conservation
Learn about Caribbean reef habitats, invasive lionfish and the work of the Caribbean Reef Fish Foundation.
TL means total length; SL excludes the tail fin; FL measures to the tail fork. These measurements are not interchangeable.