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Related FAQs: Marine Life of the Tropical West
Atlantic, Tropical West Atlantic 2,
Related Articles: TWA Invertebrates, Algae, Vascular
Plants, Introduction to Fishwatcher's Guide
Series Pieces/Sections, Lachnolaimus
maxiumus/Hogfish, Hogfishes of the Genus Bodianus,
The Tropical West Atlantic: Bahamas to Brazil,
Part 8
To:
Part 1, Part 2,
Part 3, Part 4,
Part 5, Part 6,
Part 7, Part 9,
Part 10, Part 11,
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by Bob Fenner
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Parrotfishes, Family Scaridae. A few TWA parrotfishes are employed in
the trade, but most should not be. Most specimens adjust poorly to captivity,
dying from hunger and "depression" in the corner of a distant
aquarium. Of the few species of this wrasse-related family that survive in any
numbers in aquarium settings (given the selection of a healthy, well-adjusted,
small size individual), two hail from our topic area. These are the Striped, Scarus
croicensis (3) and Princess Parrot, S. taeniopterus (3).
Unfortunately, good numbers of Redband, Sparisoma aurofrenatum (3), and
Stoplight Parrots, S. viride (3), among other "misc." colored
and not Caribbean Parrots are sold in the trade. These algae and coral eaters
should be left in the ocean.
Ecotype: Found swimming around rocks and the coral heads they scrape for
food.
| Scarus coelestinus Valenciennes 1840, the Midnight
Parrotfish. Western Atlantic; Bermuda to Brazil. To thirty one inches in
length. A beautiful one here in Bonaire. |
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| Scarus coeruleus (Bloch 1796), the Blue Parrotfish.
Western Atlantic; Maryland to Brazil, West Indies. To nearly four feet in
length. Bahamas and Cozumel pix. |
 
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| Scarus guacamaia Cuvier 1829, the Rainbow Parrotfish.
Western Atlantic; Bermuda, Florida to Argentina, northern part of the Gulf
of Mexico. To nearly four feet in length. Bahamas and Tobago pix of terminal
males. |
 
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| Scarus taeniopterus Desmarest 1831, the Princess
Parrotfish. Western Atlantic; Bermuda to Brazil. To fourteen inches
overall length. Likely the most commonly utilized species (of only a
handful) used in the ornamental trade of this family. Due to better
collection, holding and shipping more arrive in good condition and live.
Though most are dead within a month of collection. Juvenile, initial and terminal
phase individuals in Cancun (first) and Bahamas shown. |
| Scarus vetula Bloch & Schneider 1801, the Queen
Parrotfish. Western Atlantic; Bermuda to Argentina. To two feet in length.
A smaller species that occasionally makes its way into pet-fish markets.
Bahamas pix of an initial phase and profile of a terminal one. |
 
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| Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Valenciennes 1840), the
Redband Parrotfish. Western Atlantic; Bermudas to Brazil. To eleven inches
in length. An occasional pet-fish import. Does as well as any other
Parrotfish... i.e. not well in captivity. Shown below: juvenile, initial
(and mottled one from Cozumel) and terminal phase individuals from the Bahamas. |
| Sparisoma viride (Bonnaterre 1798), the Spotlight
Parrotfish. Tropical West Atlantic; Florida to Brazil. To twenty five
inches maximum length. Pictured below, juvenile, initial and terminal
phase specimens in the Bahamas. |
Jawfishes, Opistognathidae, are abundant species in the TWA (12
described species, plus 7 to be). Three of these substrate dwellers are utilized
in our interest. The Yellowhead Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons (2);
Dusky Jawfish, O. whitehurst (2); and Longjaw Jawfish, O. macrognathus
(2) all make suitable tankmates for any variety of peaceful marine aquarium.
Most are lost from JUMPING OUT; keep your top entirely covered.
Ecotype: Sandy to gravelly substrate habitats.
| Opistognathus aurifrons
(Jordan & Thompson 1905), the Pearly or Yellow Head Jawfish is one
of the most popular aquarium fishes collected in the tropical west Atlantic. It deserves it's status
as the most collected and used Jawfish species; being a light blue anteriorly, grading to
creamy white and yellow toward the rear half, and spending more time outside of it's
tunnels than other jaws once established. To four inches in length. Note gravel
at wholesalers in this image. |
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| Opistognathus macrognathos Poey
1863, the Banded Jawfish. Tropical west Atlantic. To eight inches in
length. Here doing what the family does most all the time. Lie in wait for
a food item or territorial challenger to come/happen by. Photo taken in
St. Lucia, Caribbean. |
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To: Part 1, Part 2,
Part 3, Part 4,
Part 5, Part 6,
Part 7, Part 9,
Part 10, Part 11,
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