captain parrotfish
| Scientific name | Chlorurus enneacanthus |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Lacepède |
| Year of description | 1802 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Scaridae |
| Genus | Chlorurus |
Introduction
The Chlorurus enneacanthus is a tropical fish species living in the western zone of the Indian Ocean. It has been observed in Mozambique, around Mauritius, in the Maldives, and in the Chagos archipelago. It was recently spotted around Reunion Island.
This fish is often caught using small nets and sold fresh in markets.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size40 cm
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Maximum size50 cm
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Average size40 cm
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Maximum size50 cm
How to recognize the captain parrotfish ?
Chlorurus enneacanthus is characterized by its blue-green color, slightly rounded caudal fin, and slightly thinner in young individuals. Like most fishes in its genus, the lips do not cover the tooth surfaces.
Its body is greenish on the back, with scales lightly edged in lavender pink. The outer teeth are green.
Sexual dimorphism
Like all Chlorurus, young individuals are dark and difficult to identify.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietherbivorous
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Sociabilityliving in a group or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
The captain parrotfish lives alone or in small groups. It is a species with a lively temperament and can be territorial with other species. Like its relatives, it feeds on algae attached to corals.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
Chlorurus enneacanthus spawns in open water.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Depth2 - 7 m
Biotope presentation
The captain parrotfish is most commonly found at shallow depths (<10m). However, it is not impossible to find this fish at other depths.
Fishkeeping
Not recommended
We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Alexandre Dumaine
Marc Raggi
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
A Review of Parrotfishes (Perciformes: Scaridae) of Taiwan with Descriptions of Four New Records and One Doubtful Species - Yun-Chih Liao - Kwang-Tsao Shao - I-Shiung Chen - Zoological Studies - 2004.
Life histories predict vulnerability to overexploitation in parrotfishes - Brett M. Taylor - Peter Houk - Garry R. Russ - J. Howard Choat - Coral Reefs - 2014.
Studies on the Reef-Dwelling Fishes of India - Parrotfishes - R.P. Barman - S.S. Mishra - Zoological survey of India - 2005.
The functional morphology, systematics and behavioural ecology of parrotfishes (family Scaridae) - D.R. Bellwood - James Cook University - 2009.
Scientific partners
Tags
Species of the same family
Same genus
