Did You Know? 17 Incredible Princess Parrotfish Facts

The princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus) belongs to the species of marine ray-finned fishes in the family scaridae and order labriformes. Some of the other names for princess parrotfish are bicolor parrotfish and two-color parrotfish. Due to their colorful appearance and minimal requirements, these fishes are amongst the most popular to be kept in aquariums.

Instead of teeth, these fish possess two plates that are like a beak? Here are some of the most interesting facts about the princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus) that you will certainly enjoy. Afterward, do check our other articles on the swai fish and Caribbean reef shark.

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What type of animal is a princess parrotfish?

The princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus) is a type of fish. Princess parrotfishes are most commonly known for their beak jaws which are then fused with their teeth which helps them to crush and also grind food. The color of the princess parrotfish varies according to the sex of the fish as well as the phase. It is one such fish species that goes through various phases during its lifestyle and the appearance varies across each phase. This means that their appearance during the initial phase will be much different from that during the terminal phase.

What class of animal does a princess parrotfish belong to?

The princess parrotfish belong to the class of ray-finned fishes and order labriformes. The diet of the fish consists mainly of herbivores.

How many princess parrotfish are there in the world?

There is no accurate and rough number so as to how many princess parrotfishes from family scaridae are there in the world. The population of princess parrotfishes keeps changing based on the birth of the new ones and the death of the old ones and also the other factors that determine their lifespan.

Where does a princess parrotfish live?

Princess parrotfish (Scarus taeniopterus) prefer to live in the coral reefs and in the seagrasses. They are mostly found on the algae of the coral reefs only. Their populations can be found in Northern Great Barrier Reef, Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

What is a princess parrotfish's habitat?

The princess parrotfish�s habitat includes coral reefs and also the seagrasses. They are found in the coral reefs in Bermuda, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, southern Florida, and throughout the Caribbean. This fish can be found at depths of 10-82 ft (3-25 m) scraping on algae along the coral reef.

Who does the princess parrotfish live with?

The princess parrotfish usually live alone rather than living in flocks or in pairs. Therefore, they prefer to live alone. For protection at night, princess parrotfish makes a sleeping bag out of slime bubbles.

How long does a princess parrotfish live?

The lifespan of the princess parrotfish is about 5 years on average which depends on certain factors. Some live for a longer period of time whereas some live for a short period of time which depends on different factors.

How do they reproduce?

The species of the princess parrotfish reproduce through behavior which is known as broadcast spawning. The female princess parrotfish releases the eggs in the breeding site and the male then releases the sperm into the water column above the reef water at the same time. After the mating process is complete, the eggs hatch in about a week and the parent's mouths brood their eggs/fry.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the princess parrotfish is that of Least Concern as the population of this species is stable across its habitat. Moreover, being a popular aquarium fish, this fish species can be found across the world.

What do princess parrotfish look like?

The princess parrotfish is also known as princess parrot, or princess green parrotfish, which depends upon the sex of the fish. Female princess parrotfish are white in color with stripes that are brown to orange in color and a tail that is yellow in color. The male princess parrotfish has a body that is checkerboard-blue with different shades of yellow, purple, and green color along the body and fins. Princess parrotfishes are recognizable by their beak-like jaws which are distinctive and are fused together in most of the species.

How cute are they?

Princess parrotfish are very cute because of their color and body structure which makes them look more adorable. The different colors present on their body make them look more beautiful.

How do they communicate?

The most commonly known form of communication in the princess parrotfish is related to reproduction. They use visual cues in order to deter the invaders.

How big is a princess parrotfish?

Princess parrotfish is typically 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm) long.

How fast can a princess parrotfish move?

Princess parrotfish swim up to 3.2 total lengths per second depending on their pectoral fins.

How much does a princess parrotfish weigh?

The princess parrotfish weighs up to 45 lb (20 kg). Their weight depends on their eating habits and their diet.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific and particular name for the male and female princess parrotfish according to sex. They are simply known as males and females respectively.

What would you call a baby princess parrotfish?

There is no specific name for a baby princess parrotfish. Hence, it is known as a juvenile princess parrotfish.

What do they eat?

The diet of the princess parrotfish consists of algae and they are known to be herbivores. When they eat the epilithic algae, they are able to open space for the young coral settlement and also their growth.

Are they poisonous?

No, princess parrotfish are not poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, princess parrotfish make good pets when they are kept in an aquarium and given proper care which is needed for them. You need to make sure that you provide parrotfish with the proper diet food that is needed for their growth. Even though they are good to be kept as pets, they prefer to live in places where they can find coral reefs easily, which is a part of their diet. Some other parrotfish to check out include the blue parrotfish, the rainbow parrotfish, and the bumphead parrotfish.

Did you know...

The princess parrotfish has two sets of teeth which are better than one when it comes to chewing.

If you are looking to keep a princess parrotfish in an aquarium, make sure that the tank is of suitable size and definitely keep dead coral skeletons in there. The reason to keep coral skeletons is that they make for a good base for feeding.

Parrotfish are great for eating, irrespective of how they are cooked, raw, fried, grilled, baked, or as part of a curry.

Why are female parrotfish a dull color?

The female princess parrotfish are dull in color as compared to the males as the mucus which is used as a coat by the parrotfish themselves has antioxidant properties which can heal the wounds on their bodies.

Why is it called a parrotfish?

The princess parrotfish received its name as parrotfish because of its fused teeth, which show a close resemblance to a beak of a bird. The teeth of the princess parrotfish are specialized in a way that helps them in scraping the algae and also the invertebrates from the coral and the rocks which are included in their diet.

Contrary to the myth that parrotfish is bad for corals, it is in fact extremely beneficial for the coral as it feeds on the coral that asphyxiates the reef.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these nurse shark facts and basking shark facts pages.  

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable parrotfish coloring pages.