Common name: loro
General information
The Princess Parrotfish, Scarus taeniopterus, is a vibrant and active member of the reef community. Known for their ability to change colors and sexes throughout their life, they are a fascinating addition to any large marine aquarium. Juveniles typically exhibit a duller coloration, while adults can display a range of brilliant hues, with males being particularly colorful.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 45 cm (1′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Herbivore Grazes on algae.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be territorial.
- Captive bred
- No
- Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyParrotfishScaridae
- GenusParrotfishScarus
- SpeciesloroScarus taeniopterus Lesson, 1829
Care
Princess Parrotfish require large tanks with plenty of swimming space and rockwork to mimic their natural reef environment. They are herbivores, grazing on algae throughout the day, so it's essential to provide them with a diet rich in marine algae and vegetable matter. Due to their feeding habits, they can help control algae growth in the aquarium.
Reproduction
In the wild, Princess Parrotfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and potentially changing to males as they mature. They exhibit a complex social structure and spawning behavior, often forming harems with a dominant male.
Habitat
Princess Parrotfish are found in the tropical Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They inhabit coral reefs and seagrass beds, often seen scraping algae off hard surfaces with their beak-like teeth.