Parrotfishes & Wrasses
Rainbow Parrotfish
Scarus guacamaia
Species Overview
Fins dull orange with green tongues extending into dorsal and anal fins; blue margins on median fins; blue-green dental plates; fusiform body.
- Size
- Typically 45-150 cm (1.5-5 ft) (ReefGuide); common length 70 cm TL (28 in); max recorded 120 cm TL (47 in), 20 kg (FishBase).
- Depth range
- 3-25 m (ReefGuide and FishBase).
- Habitat
- Coral reefs; young commonly in mangrove areas; brackish records noted.
- Diet
- Mainly benthic algae.
- Range
- Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda; western Atlantic from Bermuda, Florida and the Bahamas to Argentina, absent from the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Life stages
ReefGuide shows Initial, Intermediate and Terminal Phase photos; FishBase notes no obvious color difference between sexes. Young commonly occur in mangroves.
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.