Top Redtail Parrotfish Fishing Countries

The Redtail Parrotfish (*Scarus psittacus*) is a vibrantly colored reef fish known for its distinctive red caudal fin and beak-like mouth, which it uses to graze on algae and coral. This species is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, including the waters of Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific islands. The top countries engaged in Redtail Parrotfish fishing are Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, where artisanal and small-scale fisheries target parrotfish for local consumption and, to a lesser extent, for export to regional seafood markets. In these countries, parrotfish are valued both as a food source and for their role in supporting coastal livelihoods, although overfishing and habitat degradation pose ongoing challenges to sustainable harvest.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.