Bumphead Parrotfish

About

The bicolor parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor) is one of the more visually interesting parrotfishes to come out of the Red Sea, where it is endemic to the western Indian Ocean. Juveniles and adults look almost like different species. Juveniles are white with an orange head and a broad dark stripe, while adults develop a more muted brownish-green base color peppered with pinkish speckles across the face and body. Like other parrotfishes, it spends most of its time grazing the substrate, scraping algae from hard surfaces with its fused beak-like teeth, which is where the bulk of its diet comes from. In the wild it is taken by local fishers using nets and traditional gear, suggesting it is not especially rare in its range. Behaviorally it leans more peaceful than its aggressive tag might suggest. It will generally mind its own business but is not a pushover when a more belligerent tankmate comes looking for trouble. Keeping one long-term is a serious commitment given its potential size and lifespan, and a very large system is essential. This is a species best appreciated in a species-appropriate setup with plenty of open space and hard substrate to graze.