Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Premium Aquatics 

Scarus

Scarus vetula

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Queen Parrotfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas to northern South America.

Size: 24 inches (60 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits inner and outer reef areas and usually found at depths between 10 – 85 feet (3– 25 m) where it feeds mainly on algae.

General Husbandry: Colors vary between sexes and its stage of growth (phase). Rarely seen in the trade, yet not suitable for almost all home aquariums because they simply get too large and their diet of solely ‘green’ matter is quite difficult to adequately supply.

Nevertheless, should be maintained in a large fish-only aquariums, possibly having excesses of algae, and have wide-open swimming areas. Best maintained with peaceful tankmates.

As to diet, these are herbivores, and plaster of Paris stones that contain seaweed and algae are useful for providing the grazing effect, and also sheets of dry algae, live macroalgae, and various prepared foods containing algae, especially Spirulina and should be available throughout the day or at least fed several times daily.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Labroidei

    Family: Scaridae

    Subfamily: Scarinae

    Genus: Scarus

FYI: Rarely live for lengthy periods in captivity.

Often a public aquarium species.

    Experience Level: Intermediate

    Temperament: Peaceful

    Diet: Herbivore

    Coral Safe: No

    Fish Safe: Yes

    Invertebrate Safe: Yes

    Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

    Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

    Tankmates: Peaceful

    Minimum Tank Size: 300+ gallons

    Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)

    Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

    pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Scarus vetula (Queen Parrotfish)
Photo © Bob Fenner
Scarus tricolor Scarus zufar
Return to Linking Page
Site Supported in Part by:
SpectraPure