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Parrotfish

Fish · Least Concern

Parrotfish

Chlorurus sordidus

About

Chlorurus sordidus, commonly called the daisy parrotfish or bullethead parrotfish, is a marine fish in the family Scaridae.

Family
Scaridae
Avg size
25-40 cm
Habitat
Each night before resting, this parrotfish produces a mucus envelope that seals it in a complete cocoon. Its exact function is not fully understood, but one idea is that it shields the fish from parasitic gnathiids. The species is preyed on by the honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra) and the coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), and its parasites include the monogenean Benedenia scari. It is sociable and schools with other parrotfishes such as Scarus psittacus. As one of the most widespread parrotfishes, it is highly variable, with some regional forms likely amounting to subspecies.
Behaviour
Before sleeping it secretes mucus that wraps it in a full cocoon, perhaps to guard against parasitic gnathiids, though the purpose is still unclear. It is hunted by the honeycomb grouper and the coral trout and carries the monogenean parasite Benedenia scari. A sociable fish, it schools with other parrotfishes like Scarus psittacus, and being so widespread it shows considerable variation, with some geographic forms probably qualifying as subspecies.

Where & when

Where & When to See It

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