Fig. 329.—Upper pharyngeals of an Indian Parrot-fish, Scarus strongylocephalus.
Fig. 330.—Lower pharyngeals of a Parrot-fish, Scarus strongylocephalus (Bleeker).
Fig. 331.—Scarus emblematicus Jordan & Rutter. Jamaica.
Fig. 332.—Scarus cœruleus (Bloch). Blue Parrot-fish. Loro, Azul. Family Scaridæ.
The genus Scarus is characterized by not only the almost complete fusion of its teeth, but by numerous other characters. Its lower pharyngeals are oblong and spoon-shaped, the teeth appearing as a mosaic on the concave surface. The gill-membranes are scarcely united to the narrow isthmus, the lateral line is interrupted, the dorsal spines are flexible, and there are but few scales on the head. These, as well as the scales of the body, are always large. The most highly specialized of its species have the teeth deep blue in color, a character which marks the genus or subgenus Pseudoscarus. Of the species of this type, the loro, Pseudoscarus cœlestinus, and the more abundant guacamaia, Pseudoscarus guacamaia (fig. 215 vol. I) of the West Indies, are characteristic forms. The perrico, Pseudoscarus perrico of the west coast of Mexico, and the great blue parrot-fish, or galo, of Hawaii and Samoa, Pseudoscarus jordani, belong to this type. Pseudoscarus jordani was formerly tabu to the king in Hawaii, and its brilliant colors and toothsome flesh (when eaten raw) made it the most highly valued fish at the royal banquets of old Hawaii. It still sells readily at a dollar or more per pound. To this type belong also the blue parrot-fish, Pseudoscarus ovifrons, of Japan. In the restricted genus Scarus proper the teeth are pale. The great blue parrot-fish, of the West Indies, Scarus cœruleus, belongs to this group. This species, deep blue in color, reaches a large size, and the adult has a large fleshy hump on the forehead. Lesser parrot-fish with pale teeth and with showy coloration are the West Indian species Scarus tæniopterus, Scarus vetula, Scarus croicensis, etc.
Fig. 333.—Scarus vetula Bloch & Schneider, Parrot-fish. Family Scaridæ.