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Scarus chameleon Choat & Randall, 1986 Chameleon parrotfish |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae | |||
| Max. size: | 31 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 30 m | |||
| Distribution: | Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island (Ref. 30874) and Western Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9 | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits outer reef flats and exposed lagoon and seaward slopes from a depth of 3 to at least 30 m (Ref. 1602). Feeds mainly on algae (Ref. 26993). Females often in schools of mixed species when feeding, males usually seen separate (Ref. 48636). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 September 2009 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||