HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesTan-faced parrotfish Tan-faced parrotfish (Chlorurus frontalis) Scientific name: Chlorurus frontalis Valenciennes, 1840 The Tan-faced parrotfish (Chlorurus frontalis) is a marine fish of the family Scaridae. Native range: Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu Islands to the Line and Ducie islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Coloration changes slowly with growth. The light green patch on the caudal peduncle is present on individuals as small as 15 cm and the distinctive tan facial markings are on most individuals above 20 cm. Large males develop a near-vertical forehead profile and long lobes and a well-developed lunate caudal fin.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChlorurus frontalisFamilyScaridae (Parrotfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length50.0Common length38.0Depth range40 m (131 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 40 mClimateTropicalDistributionPacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands to the Line and Ducie islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesBridled parrotfishScarus frenatusDusky parrotfishScarus nigerDark capped parrotfishScarus ovicepsCommon parrotfishScarus psittacusEmber parrotfishScarus rubroviolaceusBicolour parrotfishCetoscarus bicolorSee 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