Bullethead Parrotfish

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).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Size at sex change: 35.1 - 47.2 cm TL (Ref. 55080).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Occur inshore (Ref. 75154). 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 along drop-offs, behaving differently in various areas (Ref. 48636). 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.

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.

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Scarus sordidus Forskal

Scarus sordidus Forskål, 1775, pp. x, 80 [neotype: USNM 202297; Red Sea].—Schultz, 1958, p. 68, fig. 11, pl. 12A, B; 1960, p. 246.—Gosline and Brock, 1960, p. 238 [Hawaiian Islands].—Kamohara, 1963, p. 60, pl. 3: fig. 1 [Japan].—Woodland and Slack-Smith, 1963, p. 46 [Heron Island].

Callyodon sordidus.—Fourmanoir, 1957, p. 187 [Nossi-Bè].

Xanothon sordidus.—Munro, 1967, p. 437, fig. 827 [New Guinea].

Scarus purpureus Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839, p. 277.

Callyodon purpureus.—Jordan and Seale, 1906, p. 316, fig. 57.

Callyodon bipallidus Smith, 1955, p. 936.

Xanothon bipallidus.—Smith, 1956, p. 5, pl. 41D; 1959, pp. 266, 268, 278, pl. 41D.

Xanothon margaritus Smith, 1956, p. 7, pl. 45G; 1959, pp. 269, 278.

Xanothon erythrodon Smith, 1956, p. 7, pl. 45F; 1959, pp. 269, 278.—Munro, 1967, p. 436, fig. 826 [New Guinea].

See Schultz (1958, pp. 68–69) for other synonyms.

Characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheek, pectoral rays ii,13, occasionally ii,12; lips not covering white teeth, which become greenish in adult males. Juveniles brown to reddish brown with a pale (pink) caudal area that has a round, dark blotch at base of caudal fin. See Schultz (1958, pp. 69–71)for color description of adults.

In 1956 J. L. B. Smith established the new species Xanothon bipallidus with this comment: “Recorded by many workers as sordidus Forskål, 1775, but it is not possible to be certain of Forskål’s species. This name is assigned until it can be settled which has valid priority.” Schultz (1958, p. 131) accepted Scarus bipallidus (Smith) as distinct from the species that he recognized as Scarus sordidus from the western tropical Pacific Ocean. Because Schultz did not have enough adult specimens of the Red Sea sordidus nor the Indian Ocean bipallidus, he was unable to evaluate the sordidus complex. Since then the International Indian Ocean Expeditions collected excellent series of specimens of sordidus from the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Fortunately, this excellent series of specimens, along with additional material from the western Pacific listed by Schultz (1958, pp. 71–72) has made it possible to compare the populations of the S. sordidus complex in the Red Sea and in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Scarus sordidus is one of the most abundant parrotfishes in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It occurs more often and in greater numbers in the collections I have studied than any other species.

I counted the number of fin rays and scales (Table 9) and observed that no significant differences occur in counts among the three localities.

I compared the color patterns of juveniles, females, and of adults in the green color phase from the Red

Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean directly by use of preserved specimens, color slides, color drawings, and color illustrations in the literature from all three areas.

The most characteristic color pattern for juveniles (preserved in alcohol) between 12 and 60 mm is the striped color phase described by Schultz (1958, p. 70). The description needs no changes because of the additional specimens examined from the Red Sea, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

The reddish-brown color phase is found on specimens from 50 to 200 mm and my description (Schultz 1958, p. 70) needs little change. It applies to specimens from all three areas except that I have not found juveniles or immature specimens with a few silvery scales as occasionally has occurred in the large series examined from the Marshall Islands and Philippine Islands and illustrated by Schultz (1958, pl. 12A). The dark caudal spot in the center of the light caudal area may disappear as this color phase passes into the adult green color phase (probably males).

The pale caudal peduncle begins at a line connecting the rear basal edges of the dorsal and anal fins and appears to be of similar extent in specimens from the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean (Table 10).

I compared the color markings of the head and find considerable variability around a basic pattern (Plate 4C). I did not observe any consistent differences in color patterns for the populations of S. sordidus in the three seas.

The width of the two color bands of the anal fin were measured at the midlength of the base of the anal fin, and the width of the distal band was calculated as a percentage of the length of the middle anal ray. These data, recorded in Table 11, show a possibility of

being wider in the western Pacific than in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. The variability, however, is so great that I conclude a subspecies should not be recognized until a larger series of adult specimens are studied to determine if a significant difference exists. The only other character that might indicate a population difference is the occasional occurrence of light scales (Schultz 1958, pl. 12A) on the immature stage. This, too, needs further study before a population is recognized subspecifically.

I have shown in this study that the Red Sea and Indian Ocean populations of S. sordidus are identical. It must be concluded, therefore, that X. bipallidus Smith is a junior synonym of Scarus sordidus Forskål.

NEOTYPE.—The identity of Scarus sordidus Forskål has not been universally accepted. In order to bring greater nomenclatural stability to the Scaridae since the type material of S. sordidus Forskål no longer exists (Klausewitz and Nielson, 1965, p. 12), I herewith select a neotype for Scarus sordidus Forskål: USNM 202297, adult male, 210 mm standard length, collected by IIOE, Red Sea off Hurghada, Egypt, Sta. HA–36.

The following collections from the Red Sea were loaned for study by Dr. H. Steinitz E62–3676–C–1, 6 April 1962, Um Aabak, 1 spec, 49 mm; E–62–3676–C, 18 March 1962, Nacra, 2 spec, 46–90 mm; E62–3342, 4 April 1962, Entedebir, 1 spec, 138 mm; E62–518, 23 March 1962, Um Aabak, 1 spec, 47 mm.

The following specimens were collected by the IIOE in the Red Sea: USNM 202388, Sta. HA–26, 30 December 1964, Strait of Jubal, 4 spec, 44–105 mm; USNM 202382, Sta. HA–29, 1 January 1965, 12 spec, 38 to 69 mm; USNM 202393, Sta. HA–30, 2 January 1965, 1 spec, 48 mm; USNM 202397, Sta. HA–31, 3 January 1965, 5 spec. 32 to 57 mm; USNM 202481, Sta. HA–32, 4 January 1965, 1 spec; USNM 202405, Sta. HA–34, 5 January 1965, 3 spec, 36 to 57 mm; uncataloged, Sta. HA–35, 6 January 1965, 4 spec, 33–59 mm; USNM 202297, and 202391, Sta. HA–36, 7 January 1965, 19 spec. 37 to 210 mm (photo of 210-mm specimen neg. no. 283); USNM 202402, Sta. HA–38, 10 January 1965, 1 spec, 57 mm.

The following specimens were collected by the IIOE in the Indian Ocean: From Nossi-Bè, Madagascar: USNM 202410, Sta. JR–72, 14 February 1964, 1 spec, 150 mm; USNM 202404, Sta. JR–76, 18 February 1964, 1 spec, 69 mm; USNM 202411, Cruise 6, 12 June 1964, reef off Port Louis Harbor, 1 spec, 115 mm. From the Comoro Islands: USNM 202395, Sta. HA–9, 24 November 1964, 2 spec, 37–38 mm; USNM 202412, Sta. HA–12, 26 November 1964, 2 spec, 164180 mm; USNM 202359, FT–12, 26 November 1964, 1 spec, 225 mm. From Aldabra Island: USNM 202392, Sta. HA–16, 3 December 1964, 11 spec, 23 to 57 mm; USNM 202361, Sta. HA–17, 4 December 1964, 6 spec, 22–210 mm; USNM 202360, Sta. RS–37, 6 December 1964, Farquhar Islands, 10°07′S, 51°10′E, 35 spec. 61–190 mm. From Amirantes Islands: USNM 202408, Sta. HA–19, 8 December 1964, 27 spec, 28 to 82 mm; USNM 202362, Sta. RS–41 KA–39, 8 December 1964, 23 spec, 65–180 mm; USNM 202358, FT–26, 21 December 1964, Gold Mohur Bay, Aden, 1 spec, 225 mm.

The following specimens were collected by the Te Vega Expeditions in the western Pacific Ocean: From off Thailand, uncataloged, Sta. 56, 3 November 1963, 1 spec, 79 mm, and USNM 202406, Sta. 78, 3 November 1963, 5 spec; USNM 202407, Sta. 104, 30 November 1963, off Pulo Siburu, Mentawei Islands, Indonesia 4 spec, 33–109 mm; USNM 202396, Sta. 112, 6 December 1963, Pulo Stupai, Sanding Island, Mentawei Islands, 2 spec, 63–68 mm; USNM 202400, Sta. 213, 1 February 1965, Pulau Gaya, Darvel Bay, Borneo; USNM 202409 and 202625, Sta. 216, 2 February 1965, Pulav Bohidulong east end Borneo, 6 spec, 22–122 mm; USNM 202399, Sta. 234, 25 February 1965, Keraward Island, St. George’s Channel, 3 spec, 13–6 mm; USNM 202363, Sta. 247, 11 March 1965, Solomon Islands, Tautsina Island, Bougainville, 7 spec, 36 to 185 mm; USNM 202413 and 202482, Sta. 259, 16 April 1965, Vanikoro Island, Peu Bay, 4 spec, 40–120 mm; USNM 202394, Sta. 278, 8 May 1965, Great Astrolabe Reef, north of Vuro Island, 7 spec, 35–85 mm; USNM 202398, Sta. 295, 26 May 1965, Wailangilala Island, Fiji, 1 spec, 55 mm. Uncataloged: From Tutuila Island: Sta. 21, 19 August 1963, 8 spec, 29–73 mm; Sta. 35, 3 September 1963, 1 spec, 23 mm.

The following specimens were collected by Dr. John Randall: USNM 202401, Maiai Island, Takahau Atoll, Tuomotu Islands, 14 April 1957, 1 spec, 23 mm; USNM 202364, Takahau Atoll, Matite Island, 15 April 1957, 39 spec, 23–195 mm; USNM 202366, Papeete, Tahiti, Market, 18–21 April 1957, 205–230 mm.

Dr. V. G. Springer collected 8 lots, totaling 27 specimens, 28–200 mm, at One Tree Island off Queensland during November and December 1966.

The IIOE collected the following specimens during 1967 from the Chagas Archipelogo, Diego Garcia Atoll: Sta. HA3, 12 June, 4 spec, 48–187 mm; Sta. HA7, 15 June, 14 spec, 59–147 mm; Sta. HA8, 16 June, 2 spec, 49–66 mm; Sta. HA11, 18 June, 1 spec, 72 mm; Sta. HA14, 21 June, 2 spec, 109–124 mm; Sta. HA16, 22 June, 4 spec, 69–178 mm; Sta. HA36, 7 July, 11 spec, 55–97 mm; Sta. HA38, 9 July, 7 spec, 117–175 mm; Sta. HA45, 16 July, 1 spec. 210 mm; Sta. HA49, 12 spec, 25–52 mm.

RANGE.—Hawaiian Islands, central and western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea.

廣泛分布於印度-太平洋區，由紅海南至南非的納塔爾起，東至夏威夷群島、萊恩群島、迪西島，北至琉球群島，南至柏斯、新南威爾斯、羅得豪島與拉帕島。台灣東部、東北部、西部、南部及各離島均有記錄。

主要捕獲的漁法是延繩釣、一支釣、流刺網及籠具等，而本種魚亦是潛水鏢魚的對象以及水族館展示魚種。全年皆產，夏季最盛。屬較中型的鸚哥食用魚種，食用時以清蒸為佳。為頗常見的鸚哥魚之一。

體延長而略側扁。頭部輪廓呈平滑的弧型。後鼻孔並不明顯的大於前鼻孔。齒板之外表面平滑，上齒板不完全被上唇所覆蓋；每一上咽骨具1列臼齒狀之咽頭齒。背鰭前中線鱗約3-4；頰鱗2列，上列為4鱗；下列為4-5鱗。胸鰭具14-16軟條；尾鰭於幼魚時圓形，成體為稍圓形到截形。稚魚(大約 8 公分以內)體呈黑褐色，體側有數條白色縱紋。初期階段(IP, Initial phase)的雌魚體色多變異，體色為一致為暗棕色到淡棕色(有些個體之背、腹側為紅色)；體側鱗片具暗色緣，尤其在體前半部之鱗片更是顯著；尾柄部有或沒有淡色區域；尾鰭基部具一大暗斑點(有些個體沒有)；胸鰭暗色，但後半部透明。終期階段(TP, Terminal phase)的雄魚體色亦多變異，體藍綠色，腹面具1-3條藍或綠色縱紋；各鱗片具橘黃色緣；有時頰部及體後部分具黃色大斑；背鰭及臀鰭藍綠色，具一條寬的橘黃色縱帶；尾鰭藍綠色具較淡色之輻射狀斑紋。

棲息地廣泛。幼魚主要於珊瑚茂盛區或淺的珊瑚礁平台水域；成魚則包括水淺的珊瑚繁盛礁石平臺與底部為開闊區域的潟湖與臨海礁石區， 以及沿著海洋峭壁活動。在各種不同的區域中行為表現有異。稚魚與初期階段魚形成大群魚群，在覓食區與休息區之間長距離移動，成魚時常獨居性。以底藻為食。

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