{"title":"Parrotfish","description":"\u003cp\u003eParrotfish are the reef's grinders, using fused beak like teeth to scrape algae from coral rock, and they are largely responsible for producing the white sand a reef sits on. The bicolor parrotfish changes dramatically between the juvenile and adult phases, to the point that the two were once described as separate species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a general purpose aquarium fish. They grow large, they need a very big fish only system, and they will graze on rockwork and corals, so a reef tank is out of the question.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a varied diet with plenty of algae and vegetable matter. Talk to us about tank size before ordering. Live fish travel by air freight under our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/livestock-doa-daa-policy\"\u003eArrive Alive Guarantee\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bicolor-parrotfish","title":"Bicolor Parrotfish | Cetoscarus bicolor","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Bicolor Parrotfish is a spectacular but genuinely demanding fish. Juveniles are white with an orange-banded face, maturing into a large, boldly patterned green-and-pink adult. Buyers should understand before purchase that this is a parrotfish, not a wrasse, that it reaches close to a metre, and that it is difficult to feed and needs an enormous system. It is best regarded as a specialist, public-aquarium-scale animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Bicolor Parrotfish is associated with coral-rich reefs of the Indo-Pacific, where it uses its beak-like fused teeth to scrape algae and bite into coral rock, playing an important role in reef grazing and sand production. Replicating this environment is very difficult: it needs an enormous volume, huge open swimming space, robust rockwork it cannot easily demolish, and a constant supply of appropriate food. This is not a fish for a standard home reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are white with a dark-edged orange band through the eye; adults become large and vividly coloured in green and pink with intricate facial markings. The species reaches around 80–90 cm, among the largest parrotfish, so its adult size must be fully understood before purchase. Healthy specimens graze constantly, are well-filled through the body and show clear eyes and intact fins. A parrotfish that stops grazing and loses weight is a serious warning sign, as this group is notoriously hard to sustain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as generally peaceful for its size, but its sheer bulk and constant grazing make it disruptive. Suitable companions are other large, robust fish in a very large system, such as big tangs, rabbitfish, large angels and other sizeable community fish. It is considered reef safe only with strong caution: it will bite and eat stony corals and chip at rock, so it is unsuitable for a coral display. Avoid small, timid fish that will be overwhelmed by its size and activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding is the main difficulty. In nature it grazes algae and coral constantly, and in captivity it needs a near-continuous supply of algae-based foods plus meaty items: nori and marine algae on clips, algae pellets, chopped seafood, mysis and other prepared foods, offered many times a day. Even so, many specimens feed poorly and slowly decline. Success depends on a mature system with natural grazing, frequent and varied feeding, and close monitoring of body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species needs a very large system. Provide a minimum aquarium size of 1900 L, with far larger, effectively public-aquarium-scale systems recommended for an adult. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Provide huge open swimming space, extremely stable rockwork and powerful filtration with heavy protein skimming and generous water changes, as large grazers produce a lot of waste. Strong, well-oxygenated flow is important. Given the size, feeding difficulty and space demands, this is a fish for very experienced keepers only.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Parrotfish are open-water spawners with drifting planktonic larvae and complex sex-changing social structures, all far beyond normal home aquarium capability. For the very few keepers equipped to house one, the entire focus should be on adequate space, constant appropriate feeding and long-term health rather than breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCetoscarus bicolor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBicolor Parrotfish (Bicolour Parrotfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral-rich reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80–90 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePotentially 15 years or more; rarely sustained in captivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally peaceful but large and disruptive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1900 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublic-aquarium-scale system for an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; constant algae grazing plus meaty foods, hard to feed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large specialist systems and public aquariums only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot reef safe (eats coral and rock)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other large, robust fish such as big tangs, rabbitfish and large angels in a very large system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with corals and prized rockwork, small or timid fish overwhelmed by its size, and any setup that cannot provide the enormous space and constant feeding this species requires.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234143420707,"sku":"BA8104-S","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234143453475,"sku":"BA8104","price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234143486243,"sku":"BA8104-L","price":69.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-80cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55351948312867,"sku":"BA8104-XL","price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/bicolor-parrotfish-43090658787619.webp?v=1790306125"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/collections\/Bicolour_Parrotfish_Cetoscarus_bicolor_c38913bf-ae1c-46ed-a990-43a9f8556c2a.jpg?v=1788252778","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/collections\/parrotfish.oembed","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}