Colours
Distinguishing features
It can be distinguished by its patterns and colouration. Its appearance changes during its life phases. During the initial phase, it has a reddish to brown colour and six to seven dark, horizontal stripes along its body, and red fins.
In males, during the terminal phase, the posterior of the body and the lower half of the head appear abruptly lighter. Also, in males, the caudal fins appear blue-green with a large, orange, crescent-shaped area. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 47 cm (Total Length)
Depth range
- From 1 m to 25 m
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is found in the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea to the Line Islands and Ducie Island, and as far north as southern Japan, to its southernmost location at Shark Bay in Western Australia, Lord Howe Island, and Rapa Iti in French Polynesia. It is not found in the waters of Hawaii.
It is found on exposed outer reefs, occasionally in extremely shallow water. Juvenile specimens may be found in lagoons living within the rubble and coral of the reefs. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
References
- Bellwood, D.R. and J.H. Choat (2011). Dangerous demographics: the lack of juvenile humphead parrotfishes Bolbometopon muricatum on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 30: 549-554. LIRS catalog number 1474.
- Bonaldo, R.M. (2011). The ecosystem role of parrotfishes on coral reefs, PhD thesis, James Cook University. LIRS catalog number 1412.
- Choat, J.H., O.S. Klanten, L. Van Herwerden, D.R. Robertson and K.D. Clements (2012). Patterns and processes in the evolutionary history of parrotfishes (Family Labridae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 107: 529-557. LIRS catalog number 1559.
- View all references