HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesYellow-tail parrotfish Yellow-tail parrotfish (Scarus hypselopterus) Scientific name: Scarus hypselopterus Bleeker, 1853 The Yellow-tail parrotfish (Scarus hypselopterus) is a marine fish of the family Scaridae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Moluccas in Indonesia, Philippines, Ryukyus in Japan and Palau. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Males resemble S. bowersi but differs in that the tan area of S. bowersi does not extend as far back as the anal fin. Initial phase has a distinctive black spot at front of the anal fin and yellowish tail and soft dorsal fin.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameScarus hypselopterusFamilyScaridae (Parrotfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length31.0Depth range30 m (98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: Moluccas in Indonesia, Philippines, Ryukyus in Japan and Palau.Conservation status (IUCN)Near Threatened (NT)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesHarlequin tuskfishChoerodon fasciatusFalse leopardMacropharyngodon ornatusScott's wrasseCirrhilabrus scottorumDoubleheaderCoris bulbifronsBlackfin hogfishBodianus loxozonusCheckerboard wrasseHalichoeres hortulanusSee 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