SCARIDAE
Scarus quoyi, FRLM 30652, 16.6 cm SL
Scarus quoyi Valenciennes, 1840
Quoy's parrotfish
D IX, 10; A III,9 ; P1 14. Median predorsal scales 6; rows of scales on cheek 3, usually with 2 scales in lower row; caudal fin of adult truncate to slightly emarginated.
Color: initial phase light grayish brown with five or six faint bars from scales with paler centers; three longitudinal whitish stripes on abdomen; body of terminal males blue-green dorsally, the scales with narrow pink edges, becoming violet-pink or magenta below; head violet-grey dorsally; a large irregular patch of bright blue green on cheek which extends as a broad band onto upper lip and continues onto chin where invaded by irregular pink bands; operculum orange dorsally, shading to violet-pink ventrally; caudal and pectoral fins largely bright deep blue.
Size: maximum length about 30 cm, commonly 20 - 25 cm.
Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean and West Pacific: India to Palau and Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Japan), south to New Caledonia.
Remark:inhabits coral-rich areas of outer channels and seaward reefs. Occurs singly or in small groups over intertidal flats to graze on algae during high water mark.
