Princess Parrotfish

Princess Parrotfish, Initial Phase

Princess Parrotfish, Initial Phase

In this photo, the Princess Parrotfish has spots on its skin. Around Bonaire and Curaçao, these spots have been linked to parasites called Scaphanocephalus. These parasites form cysts under the skin, which appear as small pale spots.

Name: Princess Parrotfish
Scientific Name: Scarus taeniopterus
Family: Parrotfishes
Taxonomic: Scaridae
ID Group: Parrotfishes & Wrasses
Size: 8 - 10 in.
Depth Range: On the reef (10 – 60 ft.)
Sightings: Seen often

This Parrotfish has a blue to green body with a yellow to orange stripe across the middle that fades toward the tail. Two blue-green stripes run from the snout, one above and one below the eye. The dorsal fin has a pink stripe, and the tail fin has pink edges.