Bumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
Sighting evidence at Vase Rock, Little Liuqiu Island
Photo: Mark Rosenstein · CC BY-NC
A school of bumphead parrotfish visits the outer edge of Vase Rock in the early morning during the calmer months, their headbutts against coral producing an audible cracking sound that travels far underwater. These are among the largest parrotfish species in the world, reaching over a meter in length, and their presence at Little Liuqiu is a marker of recovering reef health. The school typically departs to deeper water by mid-morning, so sunrise dives maximize encounter probability.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Bumphead Parrotfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.