Globehead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Globehead |
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Callyodon globiceps (Valenciennes, 1840) |
The globehead parrotfish (scientific name: Scarus globiceps) is a colorful fish that lives in the ocean. You might also hear it called the violet-lined, speckled, or roundhead parrotfish. These amazing fish make their home in coral reefs across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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Discovering the Globehead Parrotfish
The globehead parrotfish was first officially described in 1840. A French scientist named Achille Valenciennes gave it its scientific name.
Charles Darwin's Discoveries
This fish holds a special place in history. It was the very first parrotfish ever collected by the famous scientist Charles Darwin. He found specimens during his travels. One was near Tahiti and another near the Cocos Islands. The fish from Tahiti was first thought to be a new species. It was named Scarus lepidus by Leonard Jenyns. Later, it was confirmed to be the same as the globehead parrotfish.
Other Early Sightings
In 1900, another scientist, Henry Weed Fowler, described a fish from Caroline Island. He called it Scarus pronus. Scientists later realized this was also the same species.
What Does a Globehead Parrotfish Look Like?
The globehead parrotfish can grow to be about 45 centimeters (18 inches) long. That's about the length of a large ruler! They can weigh up to 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds).
Male Parrotfish Colors
Adult male globehead parrotfish are very striking. Their bodies are mostly green. Each of their scales has a pretty salmon-pink border. Their tail fin is also green with salmon-pink stripes. They have a cool pink stripe that goes from their nose, through their eyes, and to the back of their head. This stripe is also outlined in green. They also have one or two small teeth on their upper and lower jaws.
Young Parrotfish Appearance
Younger globehead parrotfish, or those in their "initial phase," look a bit different. They are usually grey-brown. Their bellies have three white stripes.
Where Do Globehead Parrotfish Live?
You can find globehead parrotfish in a wide area of the ocean. Their home stretches from the Society Islands and Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They live west to the Ryukyu Islands in the north. In the south, they are found near the Great Barrier Reef. Their range also goes across the Indian Ocean to East Africa.
Their Coral Reef Homes
These fish prefer to live on the outer parts of coral reefs. However, they can also be found inside calmer lagoons. They usually live at depths of about 12 meters (39 feet). Sometimes, they can be found deeper, down to 30 meters (98 feet).
Globehead Parrotfish and People
In some places, like Guam, people catch Scarus globiceps for food.
