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Steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) — Scaridae

Steephead parrotfish

Chlorurus microrhinos
Family: Scaridae

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

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Steephead parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. 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 conspicuously steep, blunt head. Like many parrotfish it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Steephead parrotfish?

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

Where does the Steephead parrotfish live?

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

How big does the Steephead parrotfish get?

The Steephead parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 49 cm.

Is the Steephead parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Steephead 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 Steephead parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Steephead parrotfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) — Scaridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Nhobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) — Scaridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) — Scaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) pmino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) — Scaridae — 5
kev-davies-ormeau (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Steephead parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Chlorurus microrhinos
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Blunt-head parrotfish; Blunt-headed parrotfish; Gibbus parrotfish; Pacific steephead parrotfish; Parrotfish; Heavybeak parrotfish; Steephead parrots verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
49.0 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti 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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