Rusty parrotfish facts for kids

The rusty parrotfish (Scarus ferrugineus) is a colorful fish that lives in the ocean. It's a type of parrotfish, known for its strong, beak-like mouth. These fish are found near coral reefs in parts of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Quick facts for kids Rusty parrotfish
Terminal phase
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Scaridae
Genus:	Scarus
Species:	S. ferrugineus
Binomial name
Scarus ferrugineus Forsskål, 1775
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Synonyms
List Pseudoscarus augustinus Kossmann & Räuber, 1877 Scarus aeruginosus Valenciennes, 1840 Scarus caerulescens Valenciennes, 1840 Scarus marshalli Schultz, 1958

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Where the Rusty Parrotfish Lives

Rusty parrotfish live on coral reefs. You can find them in waters from 1 to 60 meters deep. Their home includes the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf. They live off the coasts of many countries. These include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others in that region. This fish is quite common in these areas.

What the Rusty Parrotfish Looks Like

Adult rusty parrotfish in its initial phase.

Adult rusty parrotfish in its terminal phase.

The rusty parrotfish can grow up to 41 centimeters (about 16 inches) long. They have two main color patterns. The "terminal phase" fish are very colorful. They are mostly blue-green. The "initial phase" fish are brownish. They often have light and dark stripes. These fish also have a yellow tail. This brownish color is why they are called "rusty." You often see initial phase fish swimming in groups.

Rusty Parrotfish Life and Habits

You can usually see these fish from March to November. Rusty parrotfish are special because they are hermaphrodites. This means they can change their sex during their lives.

There are three main life stages for these fish. First, there are the young fish, called juveniles. Then, there are adults in the initial phase. Most of these are females. Finally, there are adult males in the terminal phase. These males used to be females. They changed their sex and their colors.

Males in the terminal phase often form "harems." This means one male lives with several females. These fish mostly eat algae that grow on the seafloor. They help keep the reefs clean by eating the algae.

Who Named the Rusty Parrotfish

The rusty parrotfish was first officially described in 1775. A Swedish scientist named Peter Forsskål gave it the name Scarus ferrugineus. He was an explorer and studied nature. He found this fish near Dahab in Egypt.

How People Use Rusty Parrotfish

People sometimes catch rusty parrotfish for food. Local fishermen in the areas where they live catch them. This is usually done by small-scale fishing.