Pacific Slopehead Parrotfish

Coloration changes slowly with growth. The light green patch on the caudal peduncle is present on individuals as small as 15 cm and the distinctive tan facial markings are on most individuals above 20 cm. Large males develop a near-vertical forehead profile and long lobes and a well-developed lunate caudal fin.

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154).

Often seen in small schools on exposed reef flats and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 90102. Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 89972).

aquarium: commercial

分布於太平洋區，由琉球群島到萊恩群島與迪西島，南至大堡礁。台灣發現於南部海域。

主要捕獲的漁法是延繩釣、一支釣、流刺網及籠具等，而本種魚亦是潛水鏢魚的對象以及水族館展示魚種。

體延長而略側扁。頭部輪廓隆起，使得在眼前方之前額呈陡直狀。後鼻孔並不明顯的大於前鼻孔。齒板之外表面平滑，上齒板不完全被上唇所覆蓋；後端具2顆犬齒；每一上咽骨具1列臼齒狀之咽頭齒。背鰭前中線鱗約4(通常為3)；頰鱗2列，上列為4-5鱗；下列為4-5鱗。胸鰭具14-16軟條；尾鰭於幼魚時圓形，成體為稍圓形到截形，大成魚略為新月形。幼魚體呈橄欖色，腹部較淡。成魚體呈藍綠色，鱗片上具橙紅色斑；眼上方及眼前方具不規則之橙紅色斑塊，嘴角及下唇亦有橙紅色斑紋。背、臀鰭橙紅色，基底及邊緣為藍綠色；胸鰭上半部藍紫色，下半部藍綠色；尾鰭藍綠色，具數條橙紅色紋。

主要棲息於裸露的礁石平臺與臨海礁石上。時常形成小群魚群。