Bumphead Parrotfish

Bumphead parrotfish are spectacular and unusual reef fish, distinguished by their great size, appearance, diet, and ecological impact on coral reef ecosystems. There are a few different parrotfish with a bump on their heads that could be mistaken for a bump head parrotfish at least until you encounter one. Bump heads have a presence on the reef unlike any other fish, and I can’t take my gaze away from them when they’re present. The first thing to notice about them is their enormous size: they can grow to be 4.2 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds.

Bumphead parrotfish are the world’s largest parrotfish and one of the world’s largest reef fish. All parrotfish species are responsible for keeping algae from overgrowing reef-building corals on coral reefs.

Bumphead Parrotfish

Bumphead Parrotfish, Giant Parrotfish, Buffalo Parrotfish, and Double-Headed Parrotfish are all names for this species. It can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, occasionally alone but more frequently in groups. This has resulted in overfishing, which is exacerbated by the fact that they grow slowly and reproduce in limited numbers. They can live to be 40 years old and grow to be over one meter long and 70 kilos heavy.

It is the largest herbivorous reef fish and the sole species in its genus (Bolbometopon). Males have more developed facial features than females. They gradually change color from greyish brown to greenish-blue during the course of their lives. Its fused teeth function as a beak that can break hard corals, which account for the majority of its diet.

Habitat and Ecology

Oceans are home to the bump head parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). Bumphead parrotfish, in particular, reside near coral reefs. They include areas in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They’re prevalent along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and they’re also found in the Red Sea to the south. Juveniles of the humphead parrotfish can be found in shallower areas with seagrass beds, while adults can be found in deeper seas. Humphead parrotfish may be found in gloomy sea caves or buried shipwrecks.

Diet and Nutrition

During the day, the species form enormous schools that graze on algae. The beak-like teeth of parrotfishes are one of their most distinguishing features. This dentition is used by parrotfishes to graze algae off the reef’s surface. When the fish feeds, a significant amount of hard debris is scraped off the coral or rock. The pharyngeal teeth grind it up (see bottom image) and pass it out with the feces.

Reproduction

When the dominant male dies or leaves the group, the majority of humphead parrotfish develop hermaphroditic traits, which are activated during a pre-reproductive phase to undergo the physiological changes required to become a male. During the early morning of a lunar cycle, courtship and pelagic spawning processes take place.

At channel mouths, along gutters, or promontories, large groups of up to 100 fish congregate. 2 fish will rise front-to-back to a depth of about 1 meter below the surface, where they will release a haze of sperm and eggs. After that, the couple returns to the shoal.

Status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List classifies the humphead parrotfish as Vulnerable. Overfishing is the principal cause of their dwindling population. In Fiji, scuba-assisted spearfishing, as well as commercial fishing, nearly wiped out the species. Because these fish take a long time to grow and spawn, it’s difficult to easily restore their population. Many island nations and communities are enforcing rules to ensure that these species survive in our oceans. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been able to go as far as openly prohibiting their hunting.

Distribution

It can be found throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as along the Gulf of Mannar and up to Lakshadweep. However, in the aftermath of coral bleaching and tsunamis, little is known about its range and conservation status. The researchers wanted to know how the distribution of these fish changes in response to such events in this study.

Threats faced

Of course, coral reefs are vulnerable to a variety of problems, including climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Restoring parrotfish populations, and herbivores that keep algae at bay on reefs could pay off handsomely in terms of reef restoration. Corals would be choked by seaweeds on numerous reefs across the world if it weren’t for parrotfish, which is what is happening in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Conservation Efforts

Countries, states, local governments, people, NGOs, academic institutions, commercial corporations, and others are all involved in conservation activities that have the potential to address climate change risks to bump head parrotfish. Worldwide conservation organizations that conduct coral reef and/or marine environment conservation programs, global coral reef monitoring networks and research projects, regional or global conventions, and education and outreach projects across the bump head parrotfish’s range are also included.

Conclusion

Certain life-history traits, such as nocturnal resting behavior, diurnal eating behavior, huge size, accessible habitat choices, and visible coloration, make bump head parrotfish more vulnerable to harvest. Both adults and juveniles are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, and pollution threatens all bump head parrotfish habitat types.