Daisy parrotfish

Chlorurus sordidus, commonly known as the daisy parrotfish or bullethead parrotfish, is a species of marine fish in the family Scaridae.

Habitat

Before going to sleep, Chlorurus sordidus secretes a mucus which surrounds the fish in a complete cocoon. The purpose of this mucus cocoon is not completely understood, but one theory is that it protects the fish from parasitic gnathiids. This species is known to be predated on by the honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra) and the coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), its parasites include the monogenean Benedenia scari. It is a sociable fish which schools with other parrotfishes such as Scarus psittacus.

Chlorurus sordidus is one of the most widespread species of parrotfish, and it is highly variable with some of the geographically determined forms probably being at least subspecies. It occurs in both coral rich and open pavement areas of shallow reef flats, in lagoon reefs and seaward reefs, it can also be found at drop-offs. The juveniles inhabit areas of coral rubble in reef flats and lagoons. The juveniles and females in their initial phase form large groups that move long distances between their feeding grounds and the areas used for sleeping at night. They feed on benthic algae. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite and the sex change occurs when the attain a total length of 35.1–47.2 centimetres (13.8–18.6 in).

Distribution

Chlorurus sordidus is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, Red Sea included.