Description:

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

Small to medium-sized, moderately full-bodied, parrotfish. 

Initial phase: body red to reddish brown, the scales dorsally and on flanks crossed with 3 to 5 horizontal dark brown lines which may be partially broken 
into spots. Head red with brighter red scales on cheek and operculum. Lips and chin bright red, green band on base of upper lip. Lower lip with a narrow 
green band. Chin with a broad green band to below orbit. Irregular green band extends from upper eye posteriorly to upper end of gill opening. Dental 
plates blue green. Dorsal and anal fins orange-red with dull blue margin. Caudal fin reddish brown with dark bluish margins. Pectoral fins with red rays 
and pale membranes. Pelvic fins orange red, usually with blue margins.

Terminal phase: dark purple-blue body. Dental plates blue-green and the top lip is pink with a green transverse bar above it. Irregular green bars extend 
from below the jaw to the eye and from the eye onto the operculum. There is a yellow-green spot at the upper end of the gill opening. The dorsal and anal 
fins are dull orange with blue margins. Caudal fin emarginate with red-brown lobes with blue margin, posterior margin blue with green blue sub-marginal 
band.  

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 40 cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits clear lagoons, channels and outer reefs slopes (depth 0-30 m, usually 2-20 m). Usually solitary. Juveniles in small groups on algae and coral 
reefs inshore. Feeds on benthic algae. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the trap fishery where it is a regular but not abundant component of the catch.

Notes:

 

 

References:

Choat, J.H. et al. (2012). Scarus niger. The IUCN Red 2012: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T190740A17788701.en. (22/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5550 (22/03/19).
Lieske, E. & Myers, R. (2002). Coral Reef Fishes. Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Revised edition. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08995-7
McGrouther, M. (2018). Swarthy Parrotfish, Scarus niger Forsskål, 1775. https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/swarthy-parrotfish-scarus-niger/ (22/03/19).
Randall, J.E. & Bruce, R.W. (1983). The Parrotfishes of the Subfamily Scarinae of the Western Indian Ocean with Descriptions of Three New species. Ichthyological 
Bulletin of the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology. Number 47 March1983 ISSN: 0073-4381

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Scarus niger, Dusky parrotfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/scarus-niger-forsskal-1775/ (edited 19/08/22).