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Calotomus viridescens (Rüppell, 1835)
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Calotomus viridescens (Rüppell, 1835)
  • Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
Genus: , ,

Scientific Name: Calotomus viridescens (Rüppell, 1835)

English Name: Spinytooth parrotfish

Creole Name: Kakatwa ledan

French Name: Perroquet dentu

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 9.

Medium-sized parrotfish. Upper jaw with broadly flattened, slightly curved, conical teeth in two or three oblique imbricate rows, posterior to these, one or two caniniform teeth which flare ventroposteriorly. One or two erupted conical teeth may be present at symphysis. Lower jaw with as many as 17 broadly flattened conical teeth in up to 6 oblique rows. Caudal fin rounded in small specimens to double emarginate in larger specimens.

Colour.

Initial Phase. Head and body grey brown, with darker scale edges, shading to paler below. Scales on operculum and region circumscribed by pectoral fin with numerous small dark spots which may be indistinct or absent in small specimens. Diffuse dark blotch on body at base of posterior dorsal fin. Dark pigment around anus. Dorsal fin with reddish-brown marks and a dark blotch on first interspinous membrane. Anal fin brownish grey with a few small whitish spots; rays with dark brown basal spot. Caudal fin greenish brown with small pale spots and two narrow irregular whitish vertical lines, the posterior margin whitish. Pectoral fin hyaline with yellowish base. Iris orangish.

Terminal phase. Head and body greenish grey, shading to paler ventrally, scales with numerous very small pale spots. Six narrow dull orange red bands radiating from eye (two directed ventrally, two posteriorly, and two dorsoposteriorly). Operculum and area circumcised by pectoral fins with many small dark spots. Scales below midline with an indistinct light orange red spot or bar.  Dorsal fin mottled with green, red, and pale brown, the first interspinous membrane with a large dark blotch.  Pectoral fins with a dark base, becoming pale yellowish and clear distally. Anal fin with alternating irregular bands of greenish and dull orange red. Anus black.  Caudal fin paler with narrow, irregular reddish bars and some pale greenish spots posteriorly, the posterior margin narrowly white, the dorsal and ventral margins with darker pigment in small diffuse blotches.  


Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 21.3 cm SL.


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coral and rocky reefs and grass bed areas (depth 0-30m). Occurs singly or in small groups. Feeds mainly on marine angiosperms and epiphytic algae.


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is a fairly uncommon component of the catch.


Notes:

New species record for Seychelles this specimen recorded by John Nevill (03/08/20). 


References:

Bruce, R.W. & Randall, J. E. (1985). A Revision of the Indo-West Pacific Parrotfish Genera Calotomus and Leptoscarus (Scaridae: sparisomatinae). February 1985 No. 5, Indo-Pacific Fishes, Division of Ichthyology, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2020. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/4358 (11/08/20).

Russell, B. et al 2012. Calotomus viridescens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T190689A17793547. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T190689A17793547.en. (11/08/20).


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Seychelles Seatizens. Calotomus viridescens. https://seatizens.sc/species/calotomus-viridescens-ruppell-1835/


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