Big Belly Parrotfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: median predorsal scales 6-7; 3 scale rows on cheek,1(5-7), 2(6-9), 3(2-5); pectoral-fin rays 13-14 (usually 14); dental plates partially covered by lips and large adult with 1-2 conical teeth on side of upper dental plates; caudal fin emarginate in female and lunate in terminal male. Colour of male green with pink scale edges (pink colour sometimes cover much of the central body), green band around mouth with extension below eye and violet zone on upper head; female generally pale grey with broad zone of yellowish brown on middle of side, a small pale dot above diffuse blue-green patch on mid-side and a dark band from eye to pectoral region (Ref. 9793, 90102).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Feeds by scraping algae from the substrate (Ref. 26993).

Often found on exposed outer lagoon and seaward reefs, usually in rich coral habitats. Generally solitary. Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 89972). In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

fisheries: commercial

分布於印度-太平洋區海域，由東印度洋的聖誕島到皮特凱恩群島，北至琉球群島。台灣除西部海域外，其他各海域及離島均有記錄。

主要捕獲的漁法是延繩釣、一支釣、流刺網及籠具等，而本種魚亦是潛水鏢魚的對象以及水族館展示魚種。屬中大體型食用種，亦為較常見的鸚哥魚種之一。全年皆有產，夏季較多。

體延長而略側扁。頭部輪廓呈平滑的弧型。後鼻孔並不明顯的大於前鼻孔。齒板之外表面平滑，上齒板幾被上唇所覆蓋；大成魚之上齒板具1-2犬齒；每一上咽骨具1列臼齒狀之咽頭齒。背鰭前中線鱗約5-7；頰鱗3列，上列為5-6鱗；中列為6-7鱗；下列為1-3鱗。胸鰭具14-15軟條；尾鰭為微凹或半月形。稚魚(大約 8 公分以內)體呈黑褐色，體側有數條白色縱紋。初期階段(IP, Initial phase)的雌魚體色有諸多變異，但大多為背側紅褐色，體側暗紫紅色至黑褐色，腹側則為鮮紅色至黃色。終期階段(TP, Terminal phase)的雄魚體色為藍綠色，鱗片具橙紅色緣，而背部鱗片會轉為綠色，並延伸至尾柄部；胸部及其前方均為藍綠色；從胸鰭基部至尾柄有一綠色條紋縱走其間；頭部上側為橄欖色，下側有一道藍綠色線條由上唇向後達鰓蓋邊緣；上唇具橙色及藍綠色色帶各一，下唇則僅具一藍綠色色帶；背鰭、臀鰭均為黃色，並且於外緣及基部都有翠綠色之色帶分佈；胸鰭上部為藍綠色，下部為橙紅色；腹鰭為黃色，硬棘為藍綠色；尾鰭為藍綠色，外緣為黃色，基部為橄欖色。

主要棲息於裸露的潟湖外部與臨海礁石區，通常在珊瑚豐富的棲息地。通常獨居性，喜單獨於離岸較遠的礁湖及珊瑚礁海域活動。終端型雄魚在交配季節時頭頂會變為紫色。

Scarus forsteni, commonly known as the whitespot parrotfish, or Forsten's parrotfish, is a marine fish native to tropical areas in the western Pacific Ocean, where it lives in coral reefs and feeds on benthic algae.