Midnight ParrotfishorRainbow 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
Midnight Parrotfish
Solid dark indigo with electric-blue patches on the head; a big, heavy-bodied parrotfish.
Midnight parrotfish, next to rainbow parrotfish: solid dark blue.
Rainbow Parrotfish
The giant: orange-brown front, green rear and fins, heavy green beak; up to 4 ft.
Rainbow parrotfish, next to midnight parrotfish: orange and green.
Side by side
| Midnight Parrotfish | Rainbow Parrotfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scarus coelestinus | Scarus guacamaia |
| Also called | Midnight parrot | Rainbow parrot |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Not recommended — ciguatera risk. | Not recommended — a large reef grazer; 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 | Midnight Parrotfish: size · bag · season | Rainbow 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, midnight parrotfish or rainbow parrotfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell midnight parrotfish from rainbow parrotfish?
Midnight Parrotfish: Solid dark indigo with electric-blue patches on the head; a big, heavy-bodied parrotfish. Rainbow Parrotfish: The giant: orange-brown front, green rear and fins, heavy green beak; up to 4 ft. Rainbow parrotfish, next to midnight parrotfish: orange and green. Midnight parrotfish, next to rainbow parrotfish: solid dark blue.
Which is better to eat, midnight parrotfish or rainbow parrotfish?
Midnight Parrotfish: Not recommended — ciguatera risk. Rainbow Parrotfish: Not recommended — a large reef grazer; ciguatera risk.
Do midnight parrotfish and rainbow 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.