bullethead parrotfish
| Scientific name | Chlorurus spilurus |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Valenciennes |
| Year of description | 1840 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Scaridae |
| Genus | Chlorurus |
Introduction
The bullethead Parrotfish is a tropical fish found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The species exhibits a wide range of colors depending on the geographical area. Information on this species still seems incomplete.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size35 cm
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Maximum size40 cm
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Longevity11 year
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Average size35 cm
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Maximum size40 cm
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Longevity11 year
How to recognize the bullethead parrotfish ?
The body is yellow-green, sometimes speckled and bordered with red.
The tail is white with a distinct black spot. Depending on the region and the fish's mood, colors can vary significantly. Adults are sometimes mistaken for Chlorurus Sordidus.
We do not have a description of its size, but it can be estimated that like many other Chlorurus in the region, adults measure between 25 and 50 cm.
Sexual dimorphism
Young individuals have white stripes and a dark body.
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 bullethead Parrotfish wanders in groups or alone around coral reefs and rocky areas. It feeds on algae.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
The bullethead Parrotfish is an oviparous fish that 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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Depth3 - 25 m
Biotope presentation
The bullethead Parrotfish is most commonly found at depths less than 25m. 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
