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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Scleractinian corals
- Benthic algae
Predators
- Large sharks
- Humans
ThreatsOverfishing, destructive fishing practices, and coral reef degradation
HabitatsCoral reefs, seaward reef slopes, and shallow lagoons
Life spanUp to 40 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScaridae
- SpeciesBolbometopon muricatum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for massive greenish-grey fish with a prominent bulbous forehead and exposed white teeth.
- Support conservation
- Never spearfish or harass these giants, and support marine protected areas that safeguard their reef habitats.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Predator (c) cello caruso-turiello, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Prey (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Rickard Zerpe / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Adona9 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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