About Sparisoma cretense (Linnaeus, 1758)
Mediterranean parrotfish, whose scientific name is Sparisoma cretense, is a species of parrotfish. It can be found at depths up to 50 meters (160 feet) along rocky shores in the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, spanning from Portugal south to Senegal. This species is generally common across most of its range, but it is uncommon or rare, and even locally absent, in the northwestern Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. Mediterranean parrotfish prefer relatively warm water temperatures, and the species is currently undergoing a northward range expansion, which is potentially linked to global warming. The primary habitat for adult individuals is rocky reefs, especially areas that contain macroalgae, but the fish may also visit adjacent seagrass patches. Juvenile Mediterranean parrotfish are found more broadly in these seagrass patches. In some parts of its range, it is a commercially important food fish. While certain populations have been impacted by fishing pressure, the species is not classified as threatened. It has been the subject of detailed study in parts of its range, including the Azores.
