Scarus ferrugineus

The rusty parrotfish (Scarus ferrugineus) is a species of fish belonging to the family Scaridae. This reef-associated species can be found on coral reefs at a depth of 1 - 60 m in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf (in Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Yemen, Israel, Jordania, Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Sudan). It is generally common. Scarus ferrugineus measures up to 41 cm (16 in) in length. Two colour patterns may be distinguished. While the terminal phase is multicoloured, bright in colour, mostly blue-green, the initial phase, in which frequently these fishes are seen in groups, is brownish (hence the common name) with light and dark bands and a yellow tail. These fishes can be seen from March to November. They are oviparous and protogynous hermaphrodites. Three life phases can be distinguished, the juveniles, the adults of the initial phase (mostly females), and the adult males on the terminal phase (derived from females through sex and colour change). Individuals in the terminal phase form harems. They feed mainly on benthic algae.