Steephead Parrotfish

Appearance

''Chlorurus gibbus'' is a large species of parrotfish which can attain a total length of 70 centimetres and a weight of 2.2 kilograms . The solitary juveniles are marked with longitudinal balck and white stripes, the adults are blue in colour with a gerrn and purple sheen in the males and a yellow sheen in the females.

Distribution

''Chlorurus gibbus'' is endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It has not been recorded in the Gulf of Aden where the closely related species ''Chlorurus strongylocephalus'' has been recorded. A report of ''C. gibbus'' from Socotra requires verification.

Behavior

''Chlorurus gibbus'' occurs in shallow reefs and in nearby areas of sandy substrate in lagoons and bays at depths between 2–30 metres . The adults school over the outer reef where there is an abundant growth of algae. They graze on filamentous algae. They have been recorded as attaining 14 years of age. They are protogynous hermaphrodites and have a social structure consisting of harems with a single dominant male. However, they are not territorial and will live and feed alongside peaceably with other species. The teeth of parrotfish are fused together to form a powerful beak which they use to graze on filamentous algae growing on dead coral, often found feeding among a cloud of sediment. They are oviparous and the male and female form a pair to spawn. During the night they create a bag from mucus and bubbles which provides protection from nocturnal predators.

Habitat

''Chlorurus gibbus'' occurs in shallow reefs and in nearby areas of sandy substrate in lagoons and bays at depths between 2–30 metres . The adults school over the outer reef where there is an abundant growth of algae. They graze on filamentous algae. They have been recorded as attaining 14 years of age. They are protogynous hermaphrodites and have a social structure consisting of harems with a single dominant male. However, they are not territorial and will live and feed alongside peaceably with other species. The teeth of parrotfish are fused together to form a powerful beak which they use to graze on filamentous algae growing on dead coral, often found feeding among a cloud of sediment. They are oviparous and the male and female form a pair to spawn. During the night they create a bag from mucus and bubbles which provides protection from nocturnal predators.