503
12 Species Case Studies
females. The “small” parrotfi shes can be considered those with a maximum standard
length (SL) of 20–40 cm (with some mature as small as 15 cm SL), whereas the
largest scarids reach from 60 to over 120 cm SL.
The reefs of the western Atlantic with the striped parrotfi sh do not have strong
tidal currents and spawning seems to occur only during late afternoon. For bullethead parrotfi sh, aggregation and spawning has been found in areas where
tidal currents exist in channels and along reefs and strongly infl uence timing of
spawning.
The fi rst records of spawning by striped parrotfi sh (as S. croicensis ) were reported
by Randall and Randall ( 1963 ) , Ogden and Buckman ( 1973 ) and Barlow ( 1975 ) .
Fig. 12.47 ( a ) The initial phase of the striped parrotfi sh, Scarus iserti , has broad dark stripes or an
overall grey colouration. ( b ) The initial phase of the bullethead parrotfi sh, Chlorurus sordidus , has
a dark body, often with a dark blotch on the side. ( c ) the terminal phase male of the bullethead
parrotfi sh has bright green and yellow colouration, which becomes more intense when it is courting, as seen here (Photo: Patrick L. Colin)
12 Species Case Studies
females. The “small” parrotfi shes can be considered those with a maximum standard
length (SL) of 20–40 cm (with some mature as small as 15 cm SL), whereas the
largest scarids reach from 60 to over 120 cm SL.
The reefs of the western Atlantic with the striped parrotfi sh do not have strong
tidal currents and spawning seems to occur only during late afternoon. For bullethead parrotfi sh, aggregation and spawning has been found in areas where
tidal currents exist in channels and along reefs and strongly infl uence timing of
spawning.
The fi rst records of spawning by striped parrotfi sh (as S. croicensis ) were reported
by Randall and Randall ( 1963 ) , Ogden and Buckman ( 1973 ) and Barlow ( 1975 ) .
Fig. 12.47 ( a ) The initial phase of the striped parrotfi sh, Scarus iserti , has broad dark stripes or an
overall grey colouration. ( b ) The initial phase of the bullethead parrotfi sh, Chlorurus sordidus , has
a dark body, often with a dark blotch on the side. ( c ) the terminal phase male of the bullethead
parrotfi sh has bright green and yellow colouration, which becomes more intense when it is courting, as seen here (Photo: Patrick L. Colin)