Reefcrest Parrotfish

Chlorurus frontalis

Chlorurus frontalis, commonly known as the Reefcrest Parrotfish, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scaridae. It is characterized by its elongated, compressed body and distinctive coloration that changes as it matures. A light green patch on the caudal peduncle is visible on individuals as small as 15 cm, while tan facial markings appear on most individuals over 20 cm. Large males of the species develop a near-vertical forehead profile, long lobes, and a well-developed lunate caudal fin. Unlike many parrotfish, this species shows minimal sexual dichromatism, with initial and terminal phase coloration being quite similar. This parrotfish inhabits tropical marine environments, primarily associated with coral reefs. Its distribution spans from the Ryukyu Islands to the Line and Ducie islands, extending south to the Great Barrier Reef. It is found in regions such as Wake Island, Tonga, Tahiti, and the Solomon Islands, among others. The species typically resides at depths ranging from 10 to 40 meters. Divers might encounter this fish in small schools on exposed reef flats and seaward reefs, where it feeds on benthic algae. Reefcrest Parrotfish are monogamous and oviparous, forming distinct pairs during breeding. While they are sometimes kept in aquariums, there have been reports of ciguatera poisoning from consuming this fish. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern.