Queen Parrotfish
Queen Parrotfish, Initial Phase
| Name: | Queen Parrotfish |
| Scientific Name: | Scarus vetula |
| Family: | Parrotfishes |
| Taxonomic: | Scaridae |
| ID Group: | Parrotfishes & Wrasses |
| Size: | 1 - 1.5 ft. |
| Depth Range: | On the reef (10 – 60 ft.) |
| Sightings: | Seen often |
This Green Parrotfish has a blue-green body with vivid blue and green markings around the mouth. In the Initial Phase, it is dark gray to black with a broad white stripe running from behind the head to the tail base. Juveniles have a brown body with white stripes along the length of the body.
The Queen Parrotfish scrapes algae from rocks and dead coral, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of the reef by preventing algae overgrowth. At night, it sometimes forms a protective cocoon around itself.