Fish
Fivesaddle Parrotfish
Scarus scaber
A modest-sized parrotfish of protected coral reefs, the young grey-and-yellow, the terminal males flashing a blue tail with orange bands.
Also known as vyfsaal- kersfees
- Typical size
- Attains 37 cm
- Habitat
- Protected shallow coral reefs
The fivesaddle parrotfish reaches about 37 cm. Initial-phase fish have a grey head suffused with yellow above and a whitish underside, with pale salmon-pink pelvic and median fins; terminal males carry a blue tail banded with orange.
It occurs from the islands of the western Indian Ocean and the east African coast south to Natal, and is a common inhabitant of sheltered coral-reef areas in shallow water.