Rivulated Parrotfish, Scarus rivulatus, taken at Myanmar-Mergui Archipel. Photo by divemecressi / Flickr.
The Rivulated Parrotfish, also known by its scientific name Scarus rivulatus, is a species of parrotfish found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Pacific Ocean.
As with all parrotfish, the Rivulated Parrotfish has a unique morphology and behavior. They have a beak-like mouth that is used to scrape algae and other organisms off of rocks and coral, which they then grind with their powerful pharyngeal teeth. This process not only feeds the fish, but also helps to maintain the health of the coral reefs by preventing overgrowth of algae.
The Rivulated Parrotfish is a relatively large species, growing up to 50 cm in length. They have a distinctive coloration, with a bright green body that is covered in blue and yellow spots and stripes. Juveniles have a different coloration, with a brownish body and a prominent black spot near the tail.
These fish are generally solitary or found in small groups, and are known to be territorial. They will defend their feeding and resting areas aggressively against other fish, using their strong jaws to attack intruders.
Like many parrotfish, the Rivulated Parrotfish can undergo dramatic changes in coloration and shape as they mature. Juvenile fish have a different body shape and coloration than adult fish, and males and females also have different coloration during spawning periods.
The Rivulated Parrotfish is an important species in coral reef ecosystems, both as a herbivore and as a food source for larger predators. However, like many reef fish, they are vulnerable to overfishing and habitat degradation, and their populations have declined in some areas. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these important and unique fish and the coral reefs they call home.
