Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Scarinae
Etymology: Scarus: Greek, skaros = a fish described by anciente writers as a parrot fish; 1601 (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 20 m (Ref. 52753). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: Oman, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Mauritius (Ref. 35918). Also reported from Madagascar (Ref. 3488) and Reunion (Ref. 53568). Presence in Somalia to be confirmed (Ref. 30573).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 60.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710); max. published weight: 3.0 kg (Ref. 3488)
Inhabits steep seaward reef slopes to at least 20 m depth (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic algae. Also caught with nets, and other kinds of artisanal gear. Sold mostly fresh in markets.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Parenti, P. and J.E. Randall, 2000. An annotated checklist of the species of the labroid fish families Labridae and Scaridae. Ichthyol. Bull. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol. (68):1-97. (Ref. 35918)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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