Bullethead Parrotfish Female

Bullethead Parrotfish Female (Chlorurus spilurus)

Bullethead Parrotfish Female, commonly known as the Pacific daisy parrotfish or Pacific bullethead parrotfish, and referred to as Uhu in Hawaiian, is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Scaridae. This fish is widely distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific bullethead parrotfish has long been a favorite among fishermen, traditionally consumed raw or boiled. In Hawaiian culture, it holds a significant place in folklore, particularly in the story of Puniakaia, which depicts a supernatural parrotfish as the ancestor of all fish species. In this tale, two heroes, Kawelo and Makuakeke, defeat the fish named Uhumaka’ika’i. In its initial phase, the fish can be either male or female, characterized by a white beak and a dark reddish body with a white caudal peduncle and fin, marked by a black patch. Terminal males exhibit considerable color variation, featuring a greenish body adorned with large scales outlined in purple-blue, three purple-blue stripes around the mouth, and orange and white patches on the cheek.