This species has been frequently identified by Brazilian authors (e.g. Menezes and Figueiredo 1985) as its sister Caribbean species, S. viride (Bonaterre 1783), the stoplight parrotfish, due to their similar morphology and similar color pattern of initial phase specimens. Its status as a distinct species was recognized by Moura et al.(2001) on basis of color pattern, and confirmed by molecular study (Robertson et al. 2006).

Westneat and Alfaro (2005) recognize the Scarini as a tribe within the family Labridae.

This Brazil endemic species is heavily fished throughout its distribution. It is abundant in some parts of its range but is generally less common than other parrotfish species. It achieves high abundance in no-take reserves and in the oceanic islands of Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll and Trinidade Island. There are no species specific fishery data indicating declines by fishing. In the Abrolhos Bank, data from within and outside the protected area did not show any clear trend of decline. It occurs in a number of marine protected areas and protected oceanic islands in parts of its range. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. However, continued and further monitoring of harvest levels and population trends of this species is needed, especially given that it is heavily fished throughout its distribution.

This species is endemic to Brazil and is found from Maranhão State and Santa Catarina State. It is absent only from Sergipe State due to the freshwater discharge of the São Francisco River. It is present in the oceanic islands of Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll and Trindade, but absent from St. Paul’s Rocks.

This species was recorded as having high densities in the oceanic islands of Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll and Trinidade Island (Gasparini and Floeter 2001). In Rocas Atoll, it was ranked among the ten most abundant visually accessible reef fishes (Rosa and Moura 1997). It is less common in most parts of its range.

In Manoel Luis Marine state park it is among the five most abundant fish where it was observed in 92% of visual underwater surveys between 1996-1999 (Rocha and Rosa 2001). In the Abrolhos Bank, a region with Brazil’s largest network of marine protected areas, biomass of S. amplum is highest in the older no-take reserve (National Marine Park of Abrolhos), followed by the no-take zone of Itacolomis Reef, established in 2001, and unprotected reefs respectively. Considering the Abrolhos Bank as a whole, there were no significant variations in the biomass of S. amplum between 2001 and 2005 (Francini-Filho and Moura 2008).

Sparisoma amplum densities obtained with underwater visual census (UVC) (n=418 summer months at 6 areas) in shallow rocky reefs of less than 10 m depth in southeastern Brazil had a mean value of 0.001/m² (A. Bertoncini pers comm. 2008). In northeast of Brazil in Baixo-sul baiano, an Underwater Visual Census survey (n=713 at 5 reef areas) in shallow reefs from 10 to 25 m depth revealed mean density values of 0.003/m² (A. Bertoncini and C. Sampaio pers comm. 2008).

This species is found in coral and rocky reef to depths of 30 m. It is predominantly herbivorous, ingesting algae and detritus, this latter item corresponding to up to 60% of its gut contents (Ferreira and Gonçalves 2006). When compared to its other Brazilian congeners, it prefers crustose coralline algae, a fact that contributes to the large amount of inorganic detritus find in its gut contents. It may be primarily recognized as an excavating species, as well as the most specialized parrotfish coral predator in Brazil (Francini-Filho et al. 2008). The coral species most frequently consumed is the Brazilian endemic brain coral Mussismilia braziliensis.

It is known to form spawning aggregations, at least in one locality, Rocas Atoll (R.L. Moura, pers comm. 2008), but seasonality in reproductive cycles is unknown. There is no information on longevity and age of maturity for this species to estimate generation length. However, based on sister species S. viride, the age of maturity is estimated to be 2.5 to 3 years and longevity of 9 years, but varies by location up to 14 years (Choat et al. 2003). Generation length is estimated to be 5 to 6 years.

This species is heavily fished because of its large size, and is the second largest Brazilian parrotfish. Sparisoma amplum is a preferred target by spearfishers, a fishing technique with increasing numbers of practitioners in the last decades, both recreational and professional.

In Trindade Island, this species is third most commonly caught species in spearfisheries (Pinheiro and Gasparini in press)
In addition, entire multi-specific groups of scarids, including S. amplum, are captured with drive nets above the reefs, particularly in the Abrolhos Bank. In the Abrolhos Bank, data from both within and outside the protected area do not show any clear trend of decline (Francini-Filho 2005; Franicini-Filho and Moura 2008, 2008). However, in general this species is more abundant within protected areas with no-take zones. It is also collected for the aquarium trade, but targeting by fisheries is this species most important threat.

Parrotfishes show varying degrees of habitat preference and utilization of coral reef habitats, with some species spending the majority of their life stages on coral reefs, while others primarily utilize seagrass beds, mangroves, algal beds, and /or rocky reefs. Although the majority of the parrotfishes occur in mixed habitat (primarily inhabiting seagrass beds, mangroves, and rocky reefs) approximately 78% of these mixed habitat species are experiencing greater than 30% loss of coral reef area and habitat quality across their distributions. Of those species that occur exclusively in coral reef habitat, more than 80% are experiencing a greater than 30% of coral reef loss and degradation across their distributions. However, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of habitat loss and degradation on these species populations.   Widespread coral reef loss and declining habitat conditions are particularly worrying for species that depend on live coral reefs for food and shelter especially as studies have shown that protection of pristine habitats facilitate the persistence of adult populations in species that have spatially separated adult and juvenile habitats. Furthermore, coral reef loss and declining habitat conditions are particularly worrying for some corallivorous excavating parrotfishes that play major roles in reef dynamics and sedimentation (Comeros-Raynal et al. 2012).

This species is fished and is collected for the aquarium trade. In 2007, 74 specimens were exported for the aquarium trade (BOSOT 2007). Traditionally, along most of the five centuries since the Portuguese colonization, S. amplum and the other few large-sized Brazilian parrotfishes were not specifically targeted by any commercial and artisanal fisheries. When eventually captured with nets and hooks in traditional fisheries, Sparisoma amplum was used as subsistence resource. However, in recent decades, from the 1980s on, with the popularization of spearfishing and the decline of lutjanids (snappers) and serranids (groupers), large-sized parrotfishes started to be targeted by artisanal fisheries with spears, with (illegal) and without breathing apparatuses, for subsistence and commercial purposes. It is also eventually captured with traps (“manzuás”) and gill nets.

Currently it represents a resource sold locally, domestically and internationally under the broad labeling category of “budião” (= parrotfish) or mislabeled as grouper fillet. Local consumption and sales in restaurants, hotels and fish markets is more frequent, exports being restricted to the Abrolhos Bank, a region where parrotfishes are still noticeable. The only other region where S. amplum is abundant (i.e. Fernando de Noronha/Rocas Atoll) is almost entirely included within no-take zones.

There is a quota of 1000/specimens/year for export for the aquarium trade, but there are no havest limits for fisheries. This species occurs in several marine protected areas in Brazil within its range, where it is most abundant.

The effective implementation of the few marine protected areas in Brazil represent the most urgent conservation action to protect S. amplum and the other large-sized Brazilian-endemic parrotfishes. The creation of new protected areas also ranks within priority actions for reef fish conservation in Brazil.

Sparisoma amplum (Ranzani, 1842) occurs throughout most of the Brazilian coast. Remarkable sites where it is recorded include:

1) Manoel Luis Reefs (Parcel Manoel Luís), a large reef complex near the Amazon River mouth (Moura et al. 1999) encompassed by a State Marine Park created in 1991 and recognized as a RAMSAR Site. Although legally protected, Manoel Luis represent a paper park with no protection and research incentives or infrastructure, being systematically exposed to illegal fisheries by fleets based in or near the city of São Luis, Maranhão State. Sparisoma amplum is also expected to occur in the nearby reefs Banco do Álvaro (included in the State Park) and Banco do Tarol.

2) Rocas Atoll (Atol das Rocas), the only atoll in the entire South Atlantic, this unique reef is encompassed by the first marine protected area created in Brazil (1979), the Reserva Biológica Marinha do Atol das Rocas. Although intermittently exposed to illegal fisheries by fleets based between Touros and Recife, but especially in Natal, the reserve has permanent staff and infrastructure to carry on enforcement and research activities. The area is recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site too. Quantitative information about S. amplum is available for Rocas Atol, where it was the eighth most abundant species recorded through visual censuses (Rosa and Moura 1997). Further recorded in the area by Ferreira and Maida (2006).

3) Fernando de Noronha, lying 80 miles off Rocas Atoll, this archipelago is encompassed by two protected areas (Parque Nacional Marinho de Fernando de Noronha, created in 1998 and Área de Proteção Ambiental de Fernando de Noronha, created in 1986). Although exposed to illegal fisheries by local inhabitants of the archipelago and uncontrolled tourism (including cruise ships), the National Park has permanent staff and infrastructure to carry on enforcement and support research activities. There are density estimates for S. amplum in several sites and areas within the archipelago (Moura 2003), as well as information about its behavior (Francini-Filho et al. 2000), foraging activity and resource use (Bonaldo et al. 2005). It is further recorded in the area by Ferreira and Maida (2006).

4) João da Cunha Reef (Recifes João da Cunha), located in the border between Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte States, these reefs represent the second larger coralline formations in the northern coast of Brazil under influence of the west-flowing Equatorial current (the largest reef is Manoel Luis). Density estimates for S. amplum are available for a few sites and habitats within these reefs (Moura 2003), which were severely damaged by a seaport construction in the 1970s and chronic overfishing.

5) Maracajaú, a large complex of non-emerging coastal reefs off the Rio Grande do Norte State coast, included in the Área de Proteção Ambiental dos Recifes de Corais. Although legally established, this multiple-use protected area provides limited protection as it is not yet implemented and lacks no-take reserves. Sparisoma amplum was recorded in Maracajaú by Ferreira and Maida (2006), but there are no specific data on its density in the area.

6) Paraíba State, an important reefal area in the eastern coast of Brazil where S. amplum was recorded by Rocha et al. (1998). It is remarkable that coastal reefs in Paraíba State are already critically damaged by water quality decline, overfishing and mass tourism, and still lack no-take marine protected areas. Best preserved reefs are those in the mid and outer shelf (Feitoza et al. 2005), where S. amplum occurs in depths up to 54 m, but these are also nearly depleted of large sized commercially important reef fish species.

7) Pernambuco and Alagoas States (Corals Coast), a huge coastal area with coastal and mid/outer shelf reefs, encompassed by the largest Brazilian marine protected area (established in 1997), representing an important area where S. amplum occurs. Although bearing a few small no-take zones, this MPA still lacks zoning, management plan and enforcement in order to effectively protect S. amplum and other commercially-exploited parrotfish populations.

8) Abrolhos Bank, a wide portion of the continental shelf (42 000 km²) with depths rarely exceeding 30 m, the Bank
encompasses the largest and richest coralline reefs in Brazil, where all 18 coral species recorded in Brazil co-occur. Within the Abrolhos Bank S. amplum is relatively rare in shallow coastal reefs, while abundant in deeper offshore areas (Moura and Francini-Filho 2006). The only exception is Timbebas Reef, which is a coastal reef within the National Marine Park where S. amplum individuals are common. There are three main marine protected areas (MPAs) in the region, the “Área de Proteção Ambiental Ponta da Baleia-Abrolhos” (340,000 ha, created in 1993), a “paper park” with no implementation since its legal establishment by the State of Bahia government, the Corumbau Extractive Reserve (89, 500 ha, created in 2000), with management plan and zoning, but currently with deficient enforcement (Moura et al. 2007), and the Abrolhos National Marine Park (88, 200 ha, created in 1983), the first Brazilian National Marine Park, counting with management plan and zoning, but currently with a heavily deficient enforcement. Despite this MPA network, effectively protection of S. amplum and other commercially exploited parrotfish populations is not being provided.

9) Trindade and Martin Vaz archipelago, an oceanic archipelago located 1,160 km off the eastern Brazilian coast where S. amplum (recorded as Sparisoma aff. viride) was ranked as common by Gasparini and Floeter (2001). Although the archipelago is not protected the great distance to the shore keeps fishing effort low, especially reef fisheries (fisheries for large pelagics is common in the region).

10) Southeastern Brazil coastal islands. Significant groups of islands occur off the coast of Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina states. Sparisoma amplum occurs in low densities throughout the region (e.g. Floeter et al. 2007, Luiz Jr. et al. 2008), being more common in islands than in the mainland coastlines, with numbers decreasing from the North to South. There are few MPAS in the southeastern region, and most existing ones are not implemented and lack management plans and enforcement.