Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker, 1854)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker, 1854)

The Steephead Parrotfish has large exposed tooth plates (more information). The upper plate has one or two canines on each side. The head profile becomes very steep in adults. The caudal fin is rounded in juveniles but changes to truncate with elongate upper and lower lobes in adults.

Identification

The Steephead Parrotfish has large exposed tooth plates. The upper plate has one or two canines on each side. The head profile becomes very steep in adults. The caudal fin is rounded in juveniles but changes to truncate with elongate upper and lower lobes in adults.

Both sexes are usually green-blue overall with a pinkish bar on each scale. The tooth plates are blue-green. There is a blue-green band above the mouth and a wider one below. An irregular blue-green line crosses the cheek, below which the head is usually greenish-yellow. This species also has a less common red phase.

Size range

The Steephead Parrotfish grows to 70 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western and Central Pacific.

In Australia this species is known from south-western to north-western Western Australia and from the northern to southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Juveniles are found on the east coast as far south as central New South Wales.

Classification

Species:: microrhinos
Genus:: Chlorurus
Family:: Scaridae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Bellwood, D.R. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.
Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437. (as Scarus microrhinos)
Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Last Updated: 1 June 2009

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