Red Sea Steephead Parrotfish

Chlorurus gibbus

Chlorurus gibbus, known as the Red Sea Steephead Parrotfish, is a marine ray-finned fish endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. This species is part of a complex that includes relatives in the Indian Ocean and the west-central Pacific. It can grow up to 70 cm in length and weigh around 4 kg. Juveniles are solitary and display black and white stripes, while adults are predominantly blue with males showing green and purple sheens and females a yellow sheen. This parrotfish inhabits shallow coral reefs and nearby sandy areas in lagoons and bays, typically at depths of 2 to 30 meters. It is a herbivorous species that grazes on filamentous algae, using its powerful beak-like teeth to scrape algae from dead coral surfaces. Chlorurus gibbus is often seen schooling over outer reefs where algae are abundant. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with a social structure that includes harems led by a dominant male. During breeding, they form distinct pairs to spawn. At night, they create protective mucus cocoons to shield themselves from predators. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern, and it is commercially fished in some areas.