Sparisoma viride

(Bonnaterre, 1798)

Stoplight Parrotfish

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas to Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean.

Size: 25 inches (62 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits inner and outer reef areas and seagrass beds and usually found at depths between 3 – 50 feet (1– 15 m) where it feeds mainly on algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, yet not suitable for almost all home aquariums because they simply get too large and their diet of solely ‘green’ matter is quite difficult to adequately supply. Colors vary between sexes and its stage of growth (phase).

Nevertheless, should be maintained in a large fish-only aquariums, possibly having excesses of algae, and have wide-open swimming areas. Best maintained with peaceful tankmates.

As to diet, these are herbivores, and plaster of Paris stones that contain seaweed and algae are useful for providing the grazing effect, and also sheets of dry algae, live macroalgae, and various prepared foods containing algae, especially Spirulina and should be available throughout the day or at least fed several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Scaridae

Subfamily: Sparisomatinae

Genus: Sparisoma

FYI: Rarely live for lengthy periods in captivity.

Often a public aquarium species.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 300+ gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5