Chlorurus microrhinos, commonly known as the thick-nosed parrotfish, is a species of marine fish that inhabits the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. This fish is easily recognizable by its robust and elongated body, which can reach up to 70 centimeters in length. Its common name comes from the characteristic protuberance on its forehead, which develops more prominently in adult individuals.
The coloring of this fish is impressive, with a pattern that varies between shades of green, blue and purple, often with stripes or spots of lighter or darker colors, giving it a vibrant and attractive appearance. The colors can change throughout its life and between the sexes, as Chlorurus microrhinos is a sequential hermaphrodite, starting life as a female and, later, some individuals transform into males.
This fish is an important inhabitant of coral reefs, where it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It feeds primarily on algae which it scrapes from the surface of corals and rocks using its strong beak, which is a fusion of its teeth. This feeding behavior contributes to reef health by preventing excessive algae growth that could smother corals.
Chlorurus microrhinos is also known for its ability to produce sand. By ingesting coral fragments along with algae, its digestive system grinds up the coral material, which is then expelled as fine sand. This process is critical in beach formation and reef structure.
In addition to its ecological function, Chlorurus microrhinos is prized for its beauty, making it a popular species in recreational fisheries and the aquarium trade, although its size and specific needs make it more suitable for large public aquariums.
Approximate measurements of the parrotfish:
The coloring of this fish is impressive, with a pattern that varies between shades of green, blue and purple, often with stripes or spots of lighter or darker colors, giving it a vibrant and attractive appearance. The colors can change throughout its life and between the sexes, as Chlorurus microrhinos is a sequential hermaphrodite, starting life as a female and, later, some individuals transform into males.
This fish is an important inhabitant of coral reefs, where it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It feeds primarily on algae which it scrapes from the surface of corals and rocks using its strong beak, which is a fusion of its teeth. This feeding behavior contributes to reef health by preventing excessive algae growth that could smother corals.
Chlorurus microrhinos is also known for its ability to produce sand. By ingesting coral fragments along with algae, its digestive system grinds up the coral material, which is then expelled as fine sand. This process is critical in beach formation and reef structure.
In addition to its ecological function, Chlorurus microrhinos is prized for its beauty, making it a popular species in recreational fisheries and the aquarium trade, although its size and specific needs make it more suitable for large public aquariums.
Approximate measurements of the parrotfish:
- 1:6 scale Complete
- Length 109 mm
- Height 56 mm
- Width 66 mm
- Snout-tail length 116 mm
- 1:4 scale Complete
- Length 165 mm
- Height 84 mm
- Width 100 mm
- Snout-tail length 175 mm
