![Stoplight parrotfish (male) See details of the sex change of this species by clicking on this picture below:<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/22947/stoplight_parrotfish.html" title="Stoplight Parrotfish"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/1780/22947_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1767225610&Signature=QeTM2vfpjz9HKv4NbRw3mkh3uOU%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Stoplight Parrotfish Sex Change and Reproduction: <br />
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The colors of the stoplight parrotfish in the initial phase, when it could be either a male or a female, are dramatically different from those in the terminal phase, when it is definitely a male. In the initial phase, the stoplight parrotfish can rapidly change the color of the scales on its underside from red to white.[citation needed] Juveniles of both sexes are not dimorphic; following a post-settlement period, they enter their initial phase. <br />
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The majority of juveniles are female. Once reaching sexual maturity, some individuals may enter terminal phase; these fish are always male (sometimes known as secondary males or super males) and exhibit the blue-green coloration described above. Individuals that were born as males (known as primary males) will remain males into their terminal stage. Sex changes often occur when population numbers are low, and only involve females becoming males.<br />
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Here is what the terminal stage male looks like:<br />
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Stoplight-parrotfish.jpg<br />
<br />
http://www.jungledragon.com/image/22973/stoplight_parrotfish_male.html Fall,Geotagged,Sparisoma viride,Stoplight parrotfish,Trunk Bay,U.S. Virgin Islands" /></a></figure> Fall,Geotagged,Sparisoma viride,Stoplight parrotfish,U.S. Virgin Islands,trunk bay](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/1780/22973_medium.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1767225610&Signature=UZSser%2B1c4Q0mdCaxnC2HygNY9M%3D)
![Stoplight Parrotfish Sex Change and Reproduction: <br />
<br />
The colors of the stoplight parrotfish in the initial phase, when it could be either a male or a female, are dramatically different from those in the terminal phase, when it is definitely a male. In the initial phase, the stoplight parrotfish can rapidly change the color of the scales on its underside from red to white.[citation needed] Juveniles of both sexes are not dimorphic; following a post-settlement period, they enter their initial phase. <br />
<br />
The majority of juveniles are female. Once reaching sexual maturity, some individuals may enter terminal phase; these fish are always male (sometimes known as secondary males or super males) and exhibit the blue-green coloration described above. Individuals that were born as males (known as primary males) will remain males into their terminal stage. Sex changes often occur when population numbers are low, and only involve females becoming males.<br />
<br />
Here is what the terminal stage male looks like:<br />
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Stoplight-parrotfish.jpg<br />
<br />
http://www.jungledragon.com/image/22973/stoplight_parrotfish_male.html Fall,Geotagged,Sparisoma viride,Stoplight parrotfish,Trunk Bay,U.S. Virgin Islands](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/1780/22947_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1767225610&Signature=QeTM2vfpjz9HKv4NbRw3mkh3uOU%3D)
The stoplight parrotfish is a sex-changing fish inhabiting coral reefs in Florida, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and as far south as Brazil. Its typical length is between 1–1.5 ft , but it can reach 2 ft at times. It is normally found during the day between 15–80 ft.
Similar species: Perch-like Fishes
By Lilygirl
All rights reserved
Uploaded Oct 24, 2014. Captured Oct 6, 2014 12:14 in Virgin Islands National Park, North Shore Road, St. John 00830, USVI.
comments (3)
I could have copied and pasted the info but why be redundant Posted 11 years ago