HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesRedtail parrotfish Redtail parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) Scientific name: Sparisoma chrysopterum Bloch & Schneider, 1801 The Redtail parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) is a marine fish of the family Scaridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, southern Florida (USA) and Bahamas to Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Young adults with black saddle-shaped markings at upper end of pectoral fin base; often vague, pale saddle-shaped area on top of caudal peduncle; and dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins red or orange.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSparisoma chrysopterumFamilyScaridae (Parrotfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length46.0Common length25.0Depth range1–15 m (3–49 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Atlantic: southern Florida (USA) and Bahamas to Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansReports of ciguatera poisoningUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7) More wrassesRedband parrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatumQueen parrotfishScarus vetulaRedfin parrotfishSparisoma rubripinnePrincess parrotfishScarus taeniopterusRainbow parrotfishScarus guacamaiaStoplight parrotfishSparisoma virideSee all wrasses SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026