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Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) — Scaridae

Indian heavybeak parrotfish

Chlorurus strongylocephalus
Family: Scaridae

The Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–35.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Indian heavybeak parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 70 cm and has fused, beak-like teeth with which it rasps algae and coral from the reef, producing fine sand. It has a robust, blue-green body with a heavy, beak-like jaw. Like many parrotfish it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian heavybeak parrotfish?

The Indian heavybeak parrotfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Indian heavybeak parrotfish live?

The Indian heavybeak parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar and others

How big does the Indian heavybeak parrotfish get?

The Indian heavybeak parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Indian heavybeak parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian heavybeak 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 Indian heavybeak parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Indian heavybeak parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) — Scaridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — MDC Seamarc Maldives (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) — Scaridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Angelica Ladino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Karen Willshaw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Indian heavybeak parrotfish (Chlorurus strongylocephalus) — Scaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniela Kupschus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Indian heavybeak parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Chlorurus strongylocephalus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Indian Ocean steephead parrotfish; Purple-headed parrotfish; Roundhead parrotfish; Steephead parrotfish; Heavybeak parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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 Chlorurus

More from the family Scaridae

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