Fish

Bumphead parrotfish

Bolbometopon muricatum

Bumphead parrotfish often move in small groups, grazing coral and algae on the reef. Hover quietly and let them pass, and never chase or light up sleeping fish.

VulnerableIn 16 Atlas countries

Vulnerable (IUCN, 2024) means it is at high risk of extinction in the wild.

School of bumphead parrotfish swimming over coral — Photo: Julie Pittevils on Unsplash

Bumphead parrotfish close-up showing huge forehead bump and beak — Photo: Ro Hill, iNaturalist, CC BY

School of bumphead parrotfish swimming over a coral reef — Photo: R Vasconcellos, iNaturalist, CC BY

Bumphead parrotfish head with beak-like teeth grazing the reef — Photo: Jean-Paul Boerekamps, iNaturalist, CC0

Bumphead parrotfish swimming over reef rubble — Photo: Daniel Eisenhauer, iNaturalist, CC BY

Juvenile bumphead parrotfish with pale spots among reef rocks — Photo: Piotr Lukasik, iNaturalist, CC BY

Large bumphead parrotfish swimming past reef in blue water — Photo: Jay Paroline, iNaturalist, CC BY

Bumphead parrotfish swimming beside coral on a reef — Photo: Ben Costamagna, iNaturalist, CC BY

Photos show the species, not always the places on this page.

Length

Commonly about 0.7 m (2.3 ft); largest published about 1.3 m (4.3 ft)

Weight

Typical adult weight not reliably measured; heaviest published about 46 kg (101 lb)

Next to a person

Commonly about the length of a forearm to a shin; the largest would reach roughly chest height if stood on end

What it eats

Live coral, algae growing on the reef, and other small sea-floor life including shellfish. It bites off pieces of reef with its strong beak and sometimes rams coral with its forehead first.

Around people

Calm, give space

How it lives

The bumphead is the largest and most wary of the parrotfishes. It moves in small groups, feeding on algae and live coral, and sometimes rams its head against coral to break it. It also eats shellfish. At night it sleeps in caves and shipwrecks.

Where it goes

Bumphead parrotfish do not make long migrations that we know of. By day, schools may travel up to about 6 km from the caves or wrecks where they sleep, and they often return to the same night roosts. At Tulamben in Bali, a school is often seen around the USAT Liberty wreck, but sightings are never guaranteed.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

Found on tropical reefs from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. Numbers depend strongly on fishing: remote and protected reefs can hold large schools, while on heavily fished coasts they are often rare or gone. At Tulamben a school is often seen on the USAT Liberty wreck, and around the Gili Islands it is seen only occasionally.

Meet it respectfully

Hang still outside the school and let it pass. Do not touch, chase, herd, surround or feed the fish. Never shine lights on fish sleeping at night, and never enter caves or wreck sleeping spots to get a photo. Follow local park and dive rules, which differ by place.

Fun fact

Tap the bulb to light it up.

Work in ocean travel?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

Partner with Ocean Calling

Not sure where to go? Get your Ocean Match

from CHF 19

Find my match →