carolines parrotfish
Calotomus carolinus
Parrotfish of shallow reefs and lagoons, which scrapes encrusting algae and seagrass. In Latin America it is recorded in Mexico, and it is caught with nets and other artisanal gear.
Also called: peixe-papagaio-dente-verde, perico de diente verde, loro de Carolinas, stareye parrotfish
- maximum
- 54 cm
- depth
- 1–71 m
who is the carolines parrotfish
The green-toothed parrotfish belongs to the family Labridae and reaches 54 cm. It is the species with the widest range in its genus, from East Africa to the eastern Pacific, and in Latin America it is recorded in Mexico, in the Revillagigedo Islands. It lives alone or in small groups on shallow reefs, lagoons and outer reefs, from 1 to 71 m, and is found at least down to 27 m, in areas of coral, gravel, seagrass and algae. It scrapes encrusting algae, such as Padina. It is protogynous: born female, it can change into a male. It is caught with nets and other artisanal gear and sold for the aquarium trade.
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 carolines parrotfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It is the species with the widest range in its genus, from East Africa to the eastern Pacific.
identification
Grayish-brown parrotfish when fresh, with scales that have fine whitish lines and a reddish-brown tone on the belly. The head is lighter underneath, with an indistinct orange-brown line from the eye to the upper lip and three short reddish lines behind the eye. The skin is black around the anus, and the pelvic fins are reddish-brown with spots. The tail is rounded in juveniles and has longer lobes in large males.
Loading the next 7 days…
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
In Latin America it is recorded in Mexico, in the Revillagigedo Islands, on shallow reefs, lagoons and areas of algae and seagrass. The species occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Habitat: Shallow reefs, lagoons and outer reefs, with coral, gravel, seagrass and algae, from 1 to 71 m.
rules for the carolines 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.
Harmless to anglers. As it is usually caught in nets, release it quickly and do not keep it out of water for long.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0138, b = 3.06; 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
—
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: Calotomus carolinus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Calotomus carolinusNames by country and language.
