Steephead Parrotfish
Chlorurus strongylocephalus
Also known as: Indian Ocean Steephead Parrotfish, Indian Parrotfish, Purple-headed Parrotfish, Roundhead Parrotfish
- Indian Ocean Steephead Parrotfish
- Indian Parrotfish
- Purple-headed Parrotfish
- Roundhead Parrotfish
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly or in schools, foraging for food over reef edges, of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in algae growth.
Parrotfish are hermaphrodites and live in harems with a dominant male. They are not territorial, living and feeding in harmony with other species.
Their teeth are fused into powerful beaks which are used for grabbing filamentous algae from dead coral, often found feeding in a cloud of sediment.
At night parrotfish make a sleeping bag out of slime bubbles for protection against predators.
These beautiful fish whose males usually outshine the females for colour also change dramatically from juvenile to adult.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indian Ocean
- Exact location · 3
- Country only · 49
Found singly or in schools, foraging for food over reef edges, of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in algae growth.
Adult photos 52
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Parrotfishes (Scaridae)

Bicolour Parrotfish
Cetoscarus bicolor

Bluelip Parrofish
Cryptotomus roseus

Filamentfin Parrotfish
Scarus altipinnis

Palenose Parrotfish
Scarus psittacus

Blue Parrotfish
Scarus coeruleus

Bluepatch Parrotfish
Scarus forsteni

Bucktooth Parrotfish
Sparisoma radians

Candelomoa Parrotfish
Hipposcarus harid

Daisy Parrotfish
Chlorurus sordidus

Dusky Parrotfish
Scarus niger

Ember Parrotfish
Scarus rubroviolaceus

Grecian Parrotfish
Sparisoma cretense

