Bicolor Parrotfish

Cetoscarus bicolor

Beautiful and intriguing, the Bicolor Parrotfish, Cetoscarus bicolor (Ruppel 1829) can be an excellent addition for the right hobbyist.  In the wild, these fish are found foraging the reef for algae and other food sources.  Bicolor Parrotfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start out as females, and transition into males over time. Beautiful as juveniles, they morph into even more attractive fish as adults. Caution should be taken with these fish, though, for several reasons.  First, in the wild, they survive primarily by digesting algae from both live and dead corals, making these fish incompatible with reef tanks. A fish-only-with-live-rock (fowlr) tank is ideal, with coral skeletons this fish may consume.  What the corals/live rock cannot provide must be supplemented with several feedings throughout the day.  Most importantly, these fish get BIG!  A full-size Bicolor Parrotfish may be up to 3 feet in length, requiring a large tank of at least 150 gallons, though 300+ gallons is recommended.  Should these considerations be addressed, the Bicolor Parrotfish will certainly be a welcome addition to most tanks, providing stunning colors and endearing behavior sure to entertain.

Physical– As a juvenile, the Bicolor Parrotfish has a slender white body with an orange band across its face, as well as orange dorsal and caudal fins. Juveniles also possess a black spot on their dorsal fin.  As they mature, they transition into a bright blue body, spotted face, and pink/yellow highlights around their scales.  Males will typically be brighter and more prominent than females.

Temperament– This fish is generally peaceful toward other fish but has been known to be aggressive towards fish of the same species, as well as other Parrotfish.

Size– Though the Bicolor Parrotfish typically is sold at around 3 inches, the species can grow well over 30 inches when fully mature.

Diet– The Bicolor Parrotfish is omnivorous and requires a consistent and varied diet of both meaty and herbivorous preparations. Suggestions include chopped fish or shrimp, frozen mysis or brine shrimp, as well as algae or algae sheets. 

Distribution– We receive our Bicolor Parrotfish from Bali, but they can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the Red Sea.