redtail parrotfish
Sparisoma chrysopterum
Parrotfish of shallow reefs that feeds on algae and seagrass. It has little fishing interest and is sold for aquariums.
Also called: papagaio-de-cauda-vermelha, loro colirrojo, lora, redtail parrotfish
- maximum
- 46 cm
- depth
- 1–15 m
who is the redtail parrotfish
Fish of the family Labridae, reaching 46 cm. It occurs in the western Atlantic, mainly in the Caribbean Sea. It lives on coral reefs and nearby areas, from 1 to 15 m deep. Juveniles stay more in seagrass. It feeds on benthic algae and seagrass. When resting on the bottom, juveniles or initial-phase adults take a mottled pattern that camouflages them. For anglers, it has minor commercial use and occasionally appears.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the redtail parrotfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Like all parrotfish, it has its teeth fused into a beak. Young adults have black saddle-shaped spots just above the base of the pectoral fin, and a pale saddle-shaped area at the top of the tail stalk, sometimes barely visible. The dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are red or orange. Juveniles and initial-phase adults have a mottled pattern that camouflages them on the bottom.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Caribbean Sea, in the western Atlantic, including the coast of northern South America, Central America and the Antilles.
Habitat: Coral reefs and nearby areas, from 1 to 15 m deep.
rules for the redtail parrotfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No dangerous spines or venom. There are reports of ciguatera in this species, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01175, b = 3.07; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Sparisoma chrysopterum (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Sparisoma chrysopterumNames by country and language.
