Common name: loro

Scientific name: Scarus taeniopterus Lesson, 1829
Princess parrotfish on the seabed in Raja Ampat. Scarus taeniopterus during dive in Indonesia. Parrotfish are fighting between themselfs. Blue fish with purple strips.Princess Parrotfish swimming over coral reef at Little Cayman Island in the Caribbean

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

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Parrotfish
    Scaridae
  6. Genus
    Parrotfish
    Scarus
  7. Species
    loro
    Scarus 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.