Stoplight Parrotfish
Sparisoma viride
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Algae Control |
| Diet Type | Herbivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 300 gallons+ |
| Max Size | 24 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) is a large Caribbean parrotfish that spends the day grazing and scraping rock surfaces for naturally occurring growth. Its fused teeth form a beak that allows it to take repeated bites from hard surfaces as it patrols the aquascape. Adults often show green body tones with orange markings and a yellow spot near the pectoral area, while juveniles and females display more red and brown patterning.
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruising long laps along the rockwork, pausing often to graze the same areas
- Most activity in daylight; at night it wedges into a favorite crevice to rest
- Noticeable pattern and color shifts as it matures
- Fine sand-like particles in the water column after it grazes and grinds material
Provide a very large aquarium with stable rockwork and plenty of grazing surface, and supplement with dried seaweed plus algae-based pellets offered in multiple feedings. This species is best suited to fish-only systems with lots of live rock and open swimming room. With consistent feeding and space to patrol, it settles into an active, predictable routine.
Why does my parrotfish hide in the rockwork at night and look like it is in a slime bubble
Many parrotfish sleep in a protected crevice and can form a mucus cocoon that may drift away after lights-on.
Will a Stoplight Parrotfish scratch acrylic or damage equipment while grazing
They can scrape at hard surfaces while feeding, so keep viewing panels clear of algae and offer grazing areas on rock plus a seaweed clip to focus the behavior.
How do I get it to start eating prepared foods after shipping
Start with nori or other dried seaweed on a clip, then add algae-based pellets; consistent offering over the first couple of weeks usually improves response.
Do they change color or sex in aquariums
Color phases can shift with maturity and social cues, especially when more than one is kept, and changes are typically gradual over months.
Does it rearrange rock or create sand in the aquarium
Strong grazing can produce fine sediment and can dislodge loose frags, so secure rockwork and mounts to keep the aquascape stable.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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