Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker 1854)


Other Names: Blunt-head Parrotfish, Gibbus Parrotfish, Heavybeak Parrotfish, Pacific Steephead Parrotfish

A male Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos, in the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. Source: Rick Stuart-Smith / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution

Summary:

This large parrotfish plays a very important role on coral reefs. As they graze schools of Steephead Parrotfish excavate coral to remove algae.

Footage of a Steephead Parrotfish sleeping in its protective mucus shield.


Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2020, Chlorurus microrhinos in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/394

Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker 1854)

More Info


Distribution

Rottnest Island to north Western Australia including offshore reefs, Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, the Northern Territory, and the far northern Great Barrier Reef and reefs in the Coral Sea, to Sydney, New South Wales; also Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean, and the Lord Howe Island region in the Tasman Sea. Elsewhere the species is widespread in the east-Indo-west-central Pacific. Occurs in habitats ranging from inshore reefs to exposed outer reefs, forming schools of up to 40 individuals on reef fronts and reef crests.
This species is the most abundant large parrotfish marine parks in Western Australia and Queensland.

Feeding

Feeds on benthic turf algae and detritus obtained by crunching dead coral on the reef.

Biology

A fast growing species, attaining a maximum age of 15 years.

Fisheries

This large parrotfish is targeted for food in much of its range, and is heavily fished in some areas.

Remarks

In a recent study of steephead parrotfish on the Great Barrier Reef, tagged individuals had their internal temperatures monitored for a 24 h period using active acoustic telemetry. At night, on the reef, C. microrhinos were found to maintain a consistent average peritoneal cavity temperature 0.16 +/- 0.005°C (SE) warmer than the ambient temperature of the surrounding water (Welsh et al. 2012).

Species Citation

Scarus microrhinos Bleeker 1854, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië 6: 200. Type locality: Jakarta (as Batavia), Indonesia.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2020

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker 1854)

References


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Bellwood, D.R. 1996. Coral reef crunchers. Nature Australia Autumn: 48-55.

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Bleeker, P. 1854. Species piscium batabiensium novae vel minus cognitae. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië 6: 191-202 See ref at BHL

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Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37386020

Biology:Hermaphrodite

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:1-50 m

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:80 cm TL

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map