Calotomus


Calotomus is a parrotfish genus from the Indo-Pacific, with a single species ranging into the warmer parts of the east Pacific. Compared to most of their relatives, their colours are relatively dull. Several species in this genus are associated with sea grass beds, but most can also be seen at reefs.

Species

The genus includes these extant species:
SpeciesCommon nameImage
Calotomus carolinus
Carolines parrotfish
Calotomus japonicus
Japanese parrotfish
Calotomus spinidens
Spinytooth parrotfish
Calotomus viridescens
Viridescent parrotfish
Calotomus zonarchus
Yellowbar parrotfish

Fossil record

The fossil species, †Calotomus preisli Bellwood & Schultz, 1991 has been recovered from middle Miocene beds from Austria, suggesting the Paratethys Sea might have been tropical.