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Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) — Scaridae

Globehead parrotfish

Scarus globiceps
Family: Scaridae

The Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The globehead parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate body with a bulbous head and a beak-shaped mouth of fused teeth; adult males are blue-green, females and juveniles grey-brown. As a reef-dweller it rasps algae and coral growth from the reef and grinds the limestone fine, contributing to sand formation. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Globehead parrotfish?

The Globehead parrotfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Globehead parrotfish live?

The Globehead parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others

How big does the Globehead parrotfish get?

The Globehead parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Globehead parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Globehead parrotfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Globehead parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Globehead parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) — Scaridae — 2
erinwoodward (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) — Scaridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Roland Unger (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Globehead parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) — Scaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Globehead parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Scarus globiceps
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Globehead parrotfish; Roundhead parrotfish; Speckled parrotfish; Parrotfish; Violetline parrotfish; Violetlined parrotfish; Violet-lined parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scarus

More from the family Scaridae

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