Species · GBIF taxon 2393443
Bumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatumAlso known as Green Humphead Parrotfish, Double-Headed Parrotfish, Giant Parrotfish, Buffalo Parrotfish
Bumphead parrotfish are massive, slow-growing reef fish easily recognized by their prominent bulbous foreheads and exposed, beak-like teeth. They travel in social schools, grazing on live corals and algae during the day before retreating to shallow caves and shipwrecks to sleep at night. Through their feeding, these giants act as vital bioeroders, grinding up coral skeleton and excreting tons of fine white sand each year to shape the reef ecosystem.
MarineReef-DwellingDiurnal
Licensed referenceDirk Froebel / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Live corals, benthic algae, and microscopic organisms
- family
- Scaridae
- threats
- Overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and coral reef degradation
- life Span
- Up to 40 years
VU
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth, late maturity, and habit of sleeping in predictable shallow groups.
Never spearfish or harass these giants, and support marine protected areas that safeguard their reef habitats.- Maintain distance: Keep a respectful distance to avoid startling the school and disrupting their feeding.
- Listen closely: Listen underwater for the distinct crunching sound of their powerful jaws scraping the reef.
- Avoid night disturbance: Do not shine bright dive lights directly at sleeping individuals in caves.