Description:

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

Relatively small typically slim-bodied (large male specimens can become full-bodied) parrotifsh. Blunt rounded head. Unique narrow dental plates composed 
of numerous small teeth. The upper jaw teeth are enclosed by the lower when the mouth is closed. Median predorsal scales 4 (occasionally 3). Caudal fin 
truncate to slightly rounded.  

Colour. Body greenish with pale and dark brown scales providing marbled effect, paler below. Eye with yellow orange iris and outer green ring. Males with 
small blue spots on head, body and anal and caudal fins; and a regular white stripe on body.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 35 cm TL.

(Females mature at approximately 17 cm – Heemstra & Heemstra, 2004).

Found in sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons with seagrass beds and shallow areas with thick algal growth (depth 1-15 m). Marbled Parrotfish usually 
occur in small groups. Unlike other parrotfishes, males and females look similar and do not change sex. Larvae of this species is associated with drifting 
algae. It feeds on seagrasses and algae.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is an uncommon component of the catch off the 
north of Mahe where it was formerly abundant. This has been associated with extensive loss of coastal seagrass habitat to land reclamation. It still 
occurs in larger numbers further south on the east and west coasts of Mahe. It is also occasionally caught in large numbers in nets.

Australian Museum (2019). Marbled parrotfish, Leptoscarus vaigiensis.  https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/blue-spotted-parrotfish-leptoscarus-vaigiensis-quoy-gaimard-1824/ (19/03/19).
Bray, D. J. Leptoscarus vaigiensis in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/398 (19/03/19).
Choat, J.H. et al. (2012). Leptoscarus vaigiensis. The IUCN Red List 2012: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T190756A17777316.en. (19/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Leptoscarus-vaigiensis.html (19/03/19).
Heemstra, P. & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.
Lieske, E. & Myers, R. (2002). Coral Reef Fishes. Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Revised edition. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08995-7
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Leptoscarus vaigiensis, Marbled parrotfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/leptoscarus-vaigiensis-quoy-gaimard-1824/ (edited 15/08/22).