REVIEW OF THE PARROTFISHES 77 



This species is characterized by having 5 to 7 median predorsal 

 scales, 3 rows of scales on the cheek, with 1 to 3 scales in the ventral 

 row; usually ii,13 pectoral fin rays; green teeth. In the young the 

 color pattern is mottled or almost barred but in adults the background 

 coloration is reddish brown, with a few^scattered white spots pos- 

 teriorly, and usually the first soft dorsalTay^is^a^little'''elongate. 



The lips do not cover the greenish teeth, which are notably exposed; 

 the angle between edges of lips varies between 20 to 70 degrees; the 

 inner lip does not join completely with outer lip, instead a free fold 

 passes all around the front of upper lip; canine teeth are absent in the 

 half-grown, feebly developed in the largest adults, but may number 2 

 on each side; distal margin of caudal fin varies from rounded in the 

 young to deeply forked in large adults, with outer rays greatly elon- 

 gate; beginning at a length of about 160 mm. the fu'st soft dorsal ray 

 and the soft part of tip of last dorsal spine begin to elongate; at 

 lengths of 200 mm. and longer these rays may be notably elongated. 



The color in alcohol of adults 125 mm. and longer is plain brownish 

 or reddish brown; one or two rows of scales adjacent to bases of 

 dorsal and anal fins with pale center or whitish center in each scale, 

 these white marks not too obvious but constantly present; teeth 

 green; fins brownish or reddish brown; posterior tips of caudal fin 

 rays narrowly white lined; dorsal and anal fins of specimens 175 mm. 

 and longer sometimes narrowly edged with dusky or green ; a few pale 

 spots on posterior half of body on centers of scales also visible on 

 some specimens but lacking on others; pectoral fins light brown to 

 brownish. 



Young, 75 to 125 mm., in alcohol have the teeth green; background 

 brownish or reddish brown; caudal peduncle and caudal fin slightly 

 lighter brown than rest of body; traces of blackish bars on pectoral, 

 dorsal, and anal fins; center of scales along base of dorsal fin pale; 

 center of some scales pale along middle of body; sometimes pectorals 

 plain translucent. 



Juveniles, 15 to 75 mm., in alcohol have the dorsal, anal, and 

 pectoral fins barred, caudal peduncle and caudal fin whitish or light 

 gray; rear part of dorsal and anal fins transparent; head light brown 

 or light gray; body behind head brown; teeth white, tinted green at 

 70 mm. Two juveniles, 23 and 30 mm., have the dorsal, anal, and 

 pectoral fins barred with black; middle of body with two lengthwise 

 streaks separated by a pale one, each dark streak ending at base of 

 caudal fin in a small dark brown spot; each of 3 dark bars on body 

 continue as dark saddles on the back; teeth white. 



Live specimens in standard lengths of 305 and 315 mm. have the 

 background coloration reddish brown to grayish red; head brighter 

 red than body; teeth dark green; a grayish band, about two scale 



