Animalia Life

Sparisoma viride
FAMILY
Scaridae
TAXONOMY
Sparisoma viride Bonnaterre, 1788, Bahamas.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Moontail, parrot chub, redbelly; French: Perroquet feu; Spanish: Loro viejo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Total length 25 in (64 cm). Females and younger adult males have mostly blue-gray body scales outlined in dark gray; reddish belly, tail, and fins. Colorful terminal-phase males mostly green, with blue and reddish horizontal stripes on head and lower ventral body, and yellow and blue markings on the tail, which is shaped like a crescent moon.
DISTRIBUTION
Western Atlantic from southern Florida, United States, to Brazil, also around Bermuda.
HABITAT
Juveniles prefer shallow sea grass beds and vegetated areas, adults inhabit coral reefs.
BEHAVIOR
Diurnal; lives alone or in small groups; moves to the sea bottom at night. Has been known to accept cleaning services from other species.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds mainly on algae and other plants, but will eat corals. Feeding occurs only during the day. Will become territorial of feeding areas if food is limited.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Initial-phase individuals may be either male or female; terminal phase is male. Initial-phase females require three weeks to become terminal-phase males. Mating occurs year round.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Minor commercial and aquarium fish.

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