Quoys Parrot

Quoys Parrot The Quoy’s Parrotfish (Scarus quoyi), also known as the greenblotch parrotfish, is a vibrant marine fish native to the coral reefs of the Western Pacific and Indo-Pacific oceans. It is highly celebrated in the saltwater aquarium hobby as one of the few parrotfish species that can successfully adapt to home aquariums. Named after the 19th-century French zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy, it is deeply valued both in the wild and in captivity for its brilliant coloration and reef-cleaning grazing habits. Physical Characteristics Coloration: Displays an incredibly vibrant mix of green, purple, and blue hues, with adult males featuring a distinct green patch on the cheek and pink markings near the fins. Size: Can reach a maximum length of up to 15–16 inches in the wild, though they typically stay around 8 to 10 inches in home aquariums. Beak: Possesses strong, fused teeth that form a bird-like beak, which they use to scrape algae off of live rocks and coral reefs.  Aquarium Care and Parameters Tank Size: Requires a minimum tank size of 120 to 180 gallons due to its heavy size and hyperactive, constant swimming behavior. Many experts recommend 300+ gallons for long-term comfort.  Reef Compatibility: Safe with caution. While they are generally peaceful toward other fish and ignore invertebrates, their powerful beaks can inadvertently damage or consume Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals while scraping for algae.  Water Conditions: Thrives in standard tropical marine parameters: temperature between 72–82°F, pH of 7.8–8.5, and specific gravity (salinity) of 1.020–1.027.  Diet and Unique Behaviors Algae Scraping: They spend their entire day grazing on live rock. In the process of eating algae, they grind up bits of dead coral rock, which their digestive system expels as fine sand. Dietary Supplementation: Their herbivorous-leaning omnivore diet needs heavy supplementation in captivity. They must be fed Nori (dried seaweed), high-quality vegetable flakes, frozen mysis, and brine shrimp.  Mucus Sleeping Bag: At night, the Quoy’s Parrotfish secretes a thick, clear mucus cocoon around itself. This acts as a natural sleeping bag that masks their scent, protecting them from nocturnal predators.   Expert Only** Live Arrival Guarantee Only