About Chlorurus perspicillatus (Steindachner, 1879)
Chlorurus perspicillatus, commonly known as the spectacled parrotfish, can reach 30 centimeters (1 foot) in total length. It has a blunt oval-shaped head, a square tail, and smooth jaws. This species shows clear color variation between sexes: mature males are primarily blue, with thin bright pink edges along the scales that cover the head, while females are dark purple-grey, with red fins and a white patch on the tail at the junction where the tail meets the body. All spectacled parrotfish typically begin life as female, and transition to male over the course of their lives; this transition is usually accompanied by a change in color or pattern. The spectacled parrotfish lives on coral reefs and seaward reefs, at depths down to 60 meters. It has an herbivorous diet, feeding on algae, and helps maintain coral reef health by preventing algae from overgrowing the reef. Unlike many other parrotfish species, the spectacled parrotfish usually stays solitary, though it may sometimes be found in small groups.
