Description:

Dorsal spines 9, dorsal rays 10. Anal spines 3, anal rays 9.

Medium to large-sized parrotfish with long snout 3 rows of scales on cheek. Nodular outer surface of dental plates. Conical teeth absent on side of dental 
plates. Lips largely covering dental plates. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles, emarginate in adults.

Juveniles: white with a broad orange band around the head, a black ocellus on the dorsal fin and broad orange submarginal band on the tail.

Initial phase: head purplish to reddish brown, finely spotted with black ventrally. Body with a broad, pale yellowish zone dorsally, bluish gray below. 
Scales rimmed and spotted with black. Median fins brownish red and caudal with a whitish crescent posteriorly.

Terminal phase: green, scales rimmed with pink, head, dorsoanterior body and mid-flanks with numerous small pink spots. An orange line from corner of the 
mouth to pectoral base.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm 30 cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 80 cm SL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Large excavating parrotfish inhabiting seaward reefs and clear lagoons (depth 1-35 m). Small juveniles usually in dense coral and algae habitats. Occurs 
in haremic groups, a dominant male with a group of females. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. The male maintains a large territory. If the male 
disappears, the dominant female changes sex and colour to become a brightly-coloured male. Grazes on algae.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is an uncommon to rare component of the catch. 
Terminal males are an exceedingly rare sight at Victoria market, but are apparently more frequently encountered in the Praslin artisanal catch. 

Notes:

 

 

References:

Bray, D.J. (2017). Cetoscarus ocellatus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/390 (12/03/19). 
Choat, J.H. et al. (2012). Cetoscarus ocellatus. The IUCN Red List 2012: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T190691A17792863.en. (12/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/66097 (12/03/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Cetoscarus ocellatus, Spotted parrotfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cetoscarus-ocellatus-valenciennes-1840/ (edited 14/08/22).