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Bolbometopon muricatum (Valenciennes, 1840)
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Bolbometopon muricatum (Valenciennes, 1840)
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
Genus: , ,

Scientific Name: Bolbometopon muricatum

English Name: Green humphead parrotfish

Creole Name: Filanbaz

French Name: Perroquet bossu vert

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines 9, Dorsal rays 10, Anal spines 3, Anal rays 9.

Very large, full bodied parrotfish, body becoming fuller with age. Adults have distinctive hump on head and giving head a near vertical anterior profile. Nodular outer surface
to teeth. 

Colour. Adults with uniform dark green colouration except for leading edge of head which is often light green to pink and dark blue edges to operculum and fins. 
Juveniles are a dull grey with scattered white spots, gradually transitioning to dark green.


Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range 62 cm - ? FL. Max Length: 130 cm TL. Common Length: 70 cm TL. Largest of all the parrotfishes.
 


Habitat and Ecology:

Adults are found in outer lagoons and seaward reefs to a depth of 40 m usually in aggregations. Juveniles are found in lagoons often in seagrass beds. Feeds on live coral, 
benthic algae and shellfish. Adults feed on coral by biting off large chunks or by ramming with their head to break the coral into smaller pieces. The species has large 
powerful jaws and pharyngeal teeth to enable the grinding down of coral. The fish sleeps in caves (and shipwrecks) at night often in large groups. Spawning occurs in large 
schools, with pairs forming within the group. Eggs and larvae are pelagic.


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Juveniles are caught in the fish trap fishery, but is an uncommon component of the catch outside of certain 
localities. Adults are caught in nets or illegally by spear gun.


Notes:

 

 


References:

Australian Museum: https://australianmuseum.net.au/bumphead-parrotfish-bolbometopon-muricatum-valenciennes-1840 (06/08/18).
Bray, D.J. Bolbometopon muricatum in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/387 (07/08/2018)
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/bolbometopon-muricatum (06/08/2018)
Chan, T. et al. (2012). Bolbometopon muricatum. The IUCN Red List 2012: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T63571A17894276.en. (06/08/18).


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2018). Bolbometopon muricatum, Green humphead parrotfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/bolbometopon-muricatum-valenciennes-1840/ (revised 10/08/22). 


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