HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishParrotfishesDarktail parrotfish Darktail parrotfish (Scarus fuscocaudalis) Scientific name: Scarus fuscocaudalis Randall & Myers, 2000 The Darktail parrotfish (Scarus fuscocaudalis) is a marine fish of the family Scaridae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, and Guam. Records from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are questionable and confirmation is needed. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 25. Presence of 4 median predorsal scales; 3 rows of scales on cheek, the upper row with 6-7 scales, the middle row with 6 scales, and the lower row with 1 or 2 scales; 1 or 2 laterally projecting canines posteriorly on side of dental plates of adults; lips covering more than 3/4 of dental plates; dorsal fin moderately high, the longest dorsal spine 2.1-2.6 in head length; caudal fin truncate in young, double marginate in initial-phase fish, and somewhat lunate in terminal males. Initial phase fish brownish pink to rose pink, the throat and thorax green with green stripes extending posteriorly across abdomen; naked part of caudal fin blackish with orange lobes and a broad whitish posterior margin; body of terminal males pink and green, with blue and pink stripes ventrally; head blue with pink stripes ( a broad one on snout passing through lower eye to pectoral-fin basSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameScarus fuscocaudalisFamilyScaridae (Parrotfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length25.0Depth range20 m (66 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - ? mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, and Guam. Records from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are questionable and confirmation is needed.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026