Scientific name:
Chlorurus sordidus
Distinctive features:
Pale green tail base. Pale yellowish cheek. Bullet-shaped head.
Size:
to 40 cm (16 in.)
The bullethead is identified by its symmetrical bullet-shaped head; the area above and below the beak-like mouth is the same. The TP is variable in coloration but will generally have a green body with lavander scale edges and some orange or yellow wash on the sides or cheeks. The key markings on the very different looking IP are the light head, dark body, often with rows of small white spots on the back part of the body and/or a pale tail that has a dark spot in the center.