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Scaridae

Scaridae

9.9
A brightly colored sea fish called a parrotfish that scrapes algae from coral with a beak-like mouth
  • noun
  • /ˈskɛrɪˌdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: labrido
  • Scientists have identified more than eighty species in the family Scaridae.

Examples

  • Coral reefs depend on Scaridae to keep algae levels in check.

  • The diet of many Scaridae consists mainly of algae scraped from rocks.

  • Look at that stunning Scaridae!

  • The Scaridae family includes many vibrant species.

  • The vibrant Scaridae are essential for maintaining the health of coral reefs.

  • Marine biologists study Scaridae to understand their role in tropical ecosystems.

  • Many divers enjoy observing Scaridae due to their colorful appearance and unique feeding habits.

Synonyms

parrotfish
vsScaridae
1 7.5

A brightly colored tropical fish with a beak-like mouth that lives on coral reefs

is the broader taxonomic group containing many such species
family Scaridae
vsScaridae
  • Specialized
8.5

A group of brightly colored sea fish like parrotfish that live in warm seas

is limited mainly to tropical reef habitats rather than subtropical seas

Compounds

family Scaridae
  • Specialized
8.5

A group of brightly colored sea fish like parrotfish that live in warm seas

Surface Forms

Scaridae singular
Scaridaes plural

Etymology

Scaridae comes from the fish name Scarus, itself from an old Greek word for a 'parrotfish', plus the family ending -idae. Think of a parrot's beak: these fish have teeth joined into a beak for scraping algae, so the name points to their 'parrot-like' mouth.