Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Scaridae (Parrotfishes) > Scarinae
Etymology: Chlorurus: Greek, chloros = green + Greek oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 50 m (Ref. 5213). Tropical; 30°N - 33°S, 30°E - 130°W
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 15.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 9;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 9. Initial phase very variable in coloration. Small individuals may be uniformly dark brown to light gray with or without the dark-centered light area on the caudal peduncle; large individuals may have a series of irregular rows of small light spots posteriorly or have the dark-centered light area on the caudal peduncle. The terminal phase is also variable with or without a large tan area on the side or on the caudal peduncle. Rounded snout (Ref. 48636).
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5490) and east to the Hawaiian, Line, and Ducie islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Perth, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island and Rapa Island.
One of the most widespread parrotfishes, but highly variable and some geographical forms that are probably subspecific (Ref. 48636). Inhabit both coral rich (Ref. 58652) and open pavement areas of shallow reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 5213), as well as drop-offs, behaving differently in various areas (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Juveniles found in coral rubble areas of reef flats and lagoons (Ref. 9710). Juveniles and individuals in the initial phase form large groups that migrate great distances between feeding and sleeping grounds (Ref. 9710). Feed on benthic algae (Ref. 30573). Minimum depth range reported taken from Ref. 30874. Protogynous (Ref. 55080). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
Eschmeyer, W.N., 1997. PISCES. Eschmeyer's PISCES database as published on the Internet in June 1997, URL: gopher://gopher.calacademy.org:640/7.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 31637)
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
More information
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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01452 (-0.03153 - 0.06056), b=3.06887 (3.04061 - 3.09714), based on LWR estimates for this species (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 2.0 ±0.0 se; Based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=9; k >0.3).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (20 of 100) .
