Greensnout Parrotfish

Males distinct and head looks bright yellow underwater; females drab with white teeth and some pale spots (Ref. 48636). Scales large. 4 median predorsal scales; a transverse pair of smaller scales which overlap medially in mid-dorsal line located directly anterior to 1st median scale; 3 scale rows on cheek, lower row with 1-2 (usually 2) scales. Caudal fin slightly rounded to truncate in initial phase; moderately to deeply emarginate in terminal phase. Adults in initial phase without canines on upper plate, 1 on lower; terminal-phase fish with 1-2 canines on upper and lower plates. Lips largely or entirely cover dental plates.

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Associated with seagrass (Ref. 118046).

Inhabits coral-rich areas of outer lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Usually solitary (Ref. 9710). Females usually in small groups with a male nearby; they may mix with females of similar species (Ref. 48636). An uncommon fish patchily distributed through much of its range.

分布於印度-太平洋區，包括東印度洋的聖誕島，以及菲律賓到美屬薩摩亞，北至琉球群島，南至大堡礁的南方。台灣主要分布於東北部及澎湖海域。

主要捕獲的漁法是延繩釣、一支釣、流刺網及籠具等，而本種魚亦是潛水鏢魚的對象以及水族館展示魚種。

體延長而略側扁。頭部輪廓稍突而呈平滑的圓型。後鼻孔並不明顯的大於前鼻孔。齒板之外表面平滑，上齒板幾被上唇所覆蓋；齒板具1-2犬齒；每一上咽骨具1列臼齒狀之咽頭齒。背鰭前中線鱗約3-5(4)；頰鱗3列，下列為1-2鱗。胸鰭具13-14軟條。初期階段(IP, Initial phase)之尾鰭為圓到截形，終期階段(TP, Terminal phase)則為深截形。IP期之體色為深褐色，腹側為紅褐色；體側通常具4-5條約1-2鱗寬之不明顯淡色橫斑(橫斑裡的中央鱗片為白色)。TP期之體色為綠色；鱗片外緣為紫粉紅色；吻部前端為黃綠色至綠色；頦部藍綠色而參雜橙紅色斑紋；頰部具黃色寬區；各鰭藍綠色，具藍色外緣，中央具紫粉紅色斑紋。

主要棲息於潟湖外部與臨海礁石的珊瑚礁繁盛區域。通常獨居性的，但雌性通常會在一隻雄魚的附近形成小的群，他們可能會和相似種的雌性混合成群。