Rainbow Parrotfish
Scarus guacamaia
Also called Rainbow parrot.
How to tell it
The giant: orange-brown front, green rear and fins, heavy green beak; up to 4 ft.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called rainbow parrotfish, and what gives each one away.
- Midnight parrotfish: Solid dark blue. Tell them apart
- Blue parrotfish: Solid blue, bulging snout. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 12" max (parrotfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 12" max (parrotfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Not recommended — a large reef grazer; ciguatera risk.
In the app
Point the camera at a rainbow parrotfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about rainbow parrotfish
What is the size limit for rainbow parrotfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 12" max (parrotfish); Florida (Gulf): 12" max (parrotfish).
How many rainbow parrotfish can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.
How do you tell rainbow parrotfish from midnight parrotfish?
Rainbow Parrotfish: The giant: orange-brown front, green rear and fins, heavy green beak; up to 4 ft. Midnight parrotfish: solid dark blue.