Scientific Name
Scarus maculipinna
Common Name
Spot fin parrotfish
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 8 - 9;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 9;
Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished with pectoral rays 14; dorsal rays IX, 10; anal rays III, 9 ; median pre-dorsal scales 4; scale rows on cheek 3, upper row with 6-7 scales, middle with 5 scales, and lower with 1 or 2 scales; a single laterally projecting canine on side of upper dental plates of adults; lips covering more than three-fourths of dental plates; dorsal fin moderately high, the longest dorsal spine 2.5 (2.1-3.0) in head length; caudal fin truncate in young, slightly emarginate in initial phase fish, and emarginate to lunate in terminal males; color of initial phase brown dorsally and on sides with abdomen pale to white below, two white stripes extending from behind eye to caudal peduncle, often a third white line below dorsal fin; snout and iris of eye yellowish, with a yellow patch covering base of pectoral fin; a distinctive black spot on anal f