Rusty Parrotfish

Rusty Parrotfish (Scarus ferrugineus)

The rusty parrotfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scaridae. It is commonly found in the reefs of the northwestern Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. This reef-associated species inhabits coral reefs at depths of 1 to 60 meters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Persian Gulf. It is present along the coasts of Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Yemen, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Sudan, as well as off Socotra. The rusty parrotfish is generally considered common in these regions. Rusty Parrotfish can grow up to 41 cm (16 in) in length. There are two distinct color patterns: the terminal phase exhibits vibrant, multicolored hues, predominantly blue-green, while the initial phase—often seen in groups—displays a brownish coloration with light and dark bands and a yellow tail.

Rusty parrotfish are typically observed from March to November. They are oviparous and exhibit protogynous hermaphroditism, meaning individuals can change sex from female to male.