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