The blue parrotfish (*Scarus coeruleus*) is a strikingly vibrant marine species found primarily in the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea and the waters off Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Recognized for their bright blue coloration and beak-like teeth used to scrape algae from coral and rocks, blue parrotfish play a crucial role in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems. While not typically targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries, they are harvested in small-scale and artisanal fisheries, particularly in Caribbean nations such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Haiti, where they are valued as a food fish. Overfishing and habitat degradation have raised concerns about their populations, prompting some countries to implement regulations or marine protected areas to safeguard parrotfish and the reefs they help sustain. The blue parrotfish’s ecological importance and growing recognition of their vulnerability have led to increased conservation efforts in regions where they are commonly caught.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.