Blue ParrotfishorMidnight Parrotfish
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Blue Parrotfish
Powder-blue overall with a bulging, humped snout on adults.
Blue parrotfish, next to midnight parrotfish: lighter blue, humped snout.
Midnight Parrotfish
Solid dark indigo with electric-blue patches on the head; a big, heavy-bodied parrotfish.
Midnight parrotfish, next to blue parrotfish: dark indigo with blue head patches.
Side by side
| Blue Parrotfish | Midnight Parrotfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scarus coeruleus | Scarus coelestinus |
| Also called | Blue parrot | Midnight parrot |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Not recommended — ciguatera risk. | Not recommended — ciguatera risk. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 2 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
Where either fish has a rule, the two are regulated the same. The name still goes in the log and on the tally.
| State | Blue Parrotfish: size · bag · season | Midnight Parrotfish: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 12" max (parrotfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 12" max (parrotfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 12" max (parrotfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 12" max (parrotfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, blue parrotfish or midnight parrotfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell blue parrotfish from midnight parrotfish?
Blue Parrotfish: Powder-blue overall with a bulging, humped snout on adults. Midnight Parrotfish: Solid dark indigo with electric-blue patches on the head; a big, heavy-bodied parrotfish. Midnight parrotfish, next to blue parrotfish: dark indigo with blue head patches. Blue parrotfish, next to midnight parrotfish: lighter blue, humped snout.
Which is better to eat, blue parrotfish or midnight parrotfish?
Blue Parrotfish: Not recommended — ciguatera risk. Midnight Parrotfish: Not recommended — ciguatera risk.
Do blue parrotfish and midnight parrotfish have the same limits?
Yes, in every state that regulates either one. The table on this page lists each rule with its source and check date.