Fish Facts VI

Male blue parrotfish, Scarus coeruleus, like this one modeled by Katie Bajrak and caught by fellow Islamorada, Florida resident, Andy Newman, can reach a length of more than three feet. Although “herbivorous” fishes, blue parrotfish will also consume animal material and are commonly caught on shrimp.

Blue parrotfish can be good to excellent table fare, but aren’t the most pleasant fishes to clean due to their large, tough scales and often sediment-filled digestive tracts. There have also been reports of them causing ciguatera poisoning.

— Ray Waldner, P.D., Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida