Scarus tricolor is a greenish parrotfish which normally shows pinkish or yellowish tints on the posterior portion of its body and a purplish band just inside the margin of each lobe of the caudal fin.

[3] The terminal phase males are similar to those of Scarus forsteni, the most notable difference being that S. tricolor has a yellow inner pectoral axil.

It is largely replaced by S. forsteni in the western Pacific although there is some overlap in the Philippines.

[1] Scarus tricolor can be usually be found as individuals, although groups are sometimes recorded, in area where there is a dense growth of coral, normally on seaward reefs but also within lagoons.

[3] It occurs to depths of 30 metres (98 ft) and it feeds on benthic algae.