![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifBucROpy3butIDh_jolfOg2Sdau1N9LE7rJYtmTHVCfktB-2W-SrWDYnm2_mi39V-oH3Dd4UeJkygbTiUrun0ezDzVoi6pYz3XcXb_r-brzC3-aZuP0pEtmKgQ0NUBI6RUsTVbxd-wce/s400/7a+Trunk+Bay.jpg) |
The red belly in the initial phase is very visible. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWE5KzF3FztDgNihA4yBurwZPYaCrJAFM8TSCjcRI5qhmZnvk1VL_NSyIjNw7XCr-XSbA85MzivJOJ7DWAFHCVSshII3ubVLzZb05t5H2E8sFN5d_zbEzlM4_UBEZsSqTqHzDQtpvC1L9h/s400/7b+Trunk+Bay.jpg) |
It has a carp-like head. |
In its terminal phase, when it has become a sexually mature male, it becomes a psychedelic looking iridescent greenish blue with a yellow or orange crescent and spot on its tail and a yellow stoplight in front of its pectoral fin (where it gets its name).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Skdr98HWHdgkVH2HHHvkxYsKRPBDHburZ6A1iGMbpOE4IEQ9vvhD3jZQQgG9I4F5ZLnD_LSkNfgLRj7n8o_zRkDqD8m1HAVTinkyEzplAz8iMVFcEz7GaO1d4O-EHqQ6JNmOhxM0V4Ki/s400/1a+Trunk+Beach+-+VINP.jpg) |
In its terminal phase it is one of the most beautiful fish. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKY7o4FV7f-XdLRLHMnBoLsKSE7F6RbDOD239Li2bKXdUlA5STOwGuyGkd2_h0U8ARPpLWWyBIinW7KpXHN4rp6IWXBeDYVfG0njCmBfPNl_pQPqZ2IQ-eAphnRKsDo_dlautRP4QUJDx/s400/1b+Trunk+Beach.jpg) |
This photo is less clear, but the yellow "stoplight" spot behind the head is visible. |
I saw these stoplight parrotfish at Trunk Bay on St. John Island, U.S. Virgin Islands. I was shocked in researching for this post that both phases were the same fish.
Wow, crazy how different the fish can look.
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