All you need to know about this multi-coloured fish that poop sand
What do parrotfish eat?
Parrotfish mostly feed on algae growing on or within dead coral. They also may feed on live coral polyps, but to a lesser degree.
What is special about parrotfish teeth?
Parrotfish teeth are one of the toughest biominerals in the animal kingdom. They use their teeth to scrape or bite through coral heads. Their teeth grow throughout their life and are constantly replaced when they wear out. They are able to erode hard coral substrate, digest it and poop out sand.
What is the role of parrotfish in the ecosystem?
Parrotfish are responsible for scraping algae off dead coral, creating new spaces for young coral to settle. This then helps in reef recovery.
About the Authors
Wenzel Pinto
is a marine biologist at the Nature Conservation Foundation and is currently working on reef dynamics and island vulnerability in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
