- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- LABRIDAE
- Chlorurus
- microrhinos
Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker 1854)
A male Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos, in the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. Source: Rick Stuart-Smith / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution
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.
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 |
Steephead Parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker 1854)
References
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