Raggedfin Parrotfish
NameRaggedfin Parrotfish
Scientific NameScarus sordidus
Common NamesRaggedfin Parrotfish, Bullethead Parrotfish, Greenfin Parrotfish
FamilyScaridae
OriginIndo-Pacific, Red Sea, East Africa to Hawaii
Temperamentcommunity
Dietherbivore
Care Levelintermediate
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)180
Max Size (Inches)16
Water TypeSaltwater
Temperature Range (°F)72-82
pH Range8.1-8.4
Compatible SpeciesLarge Angelfish, Tang species (e.g., Yellow Tang, Blue Tang), Triggerfish (less aggressive species), Groupers (smaller, less aggressive species), Other large, peaceful to semi-aggressive marine fish
Description
The Raggedfin Parrotfish is a large, robust marine fish known for its prominent teeth fused into a beak-like structure, used for scraping algae from rocks and coral. Its coloration can vary significantly with age and sex, often appearing dark brown to black in its initial phase, with terminal males displaying more vibrant greens and blues. This species plays a crucial role in reef ecosystems by grazing on algae, helping to prevent overgrowth.
