WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Tan-faced Parrotfish

Chlorurus frontalis

Also known as: Blue Parrotfish, Pacific Slopehead Parrotfish, Reefcrest Parrotfish, Tattooed Parrotfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@markn · Titikaveka Lgoon, Muri, Cook Islands · May 20171 / 5
01

Overview

Found in small schools, foraging for food, over exposed reef flats, and seaward reefs rich in algae growth.

Parrotfish are hermaphrodites and live in harems with a dominant male. They are not territorial and live in harmony with other species, often found feeding together.
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.
They are brightly coloured and change dramatically from juvenile to adult.
At night parrotfish make sleeping bags out of slimy bubbles for protection against predators.

02

How to identify

Pattern
lines

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Pacific Ocean
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found in small schools, foraging for food, over exposed reef flats, and seaward reefs rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 5

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyScaridae
    2. genusChlorurus
    3. speciesChlorurus frontalis (Valenciennes, 1840)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Parrotfishes (Scaridae)