Description
Also known as Indian Ocean Steephead Parrotfish, Indian Parrotfish, Purple-headed Parrotfish, Roundhead Parrotfish.
Found singly or in schools, foraging for food over reef edges, of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in algae growth.
They feed on filamentous algae.
Length - 70cm
Depth - 2-35m
Widespread Indian Ocean
Parrotfish are hermaphrodites and live in harems with a dominant male. They are not territorial, living and feeding in harmony with other species.
Their teeth are fused into powerful beaks which are used for grabbing filamentous algae from dead coral, often found feeding in a cloud of sediment.
At night parrotfish make a sleeping bag out of slime bubbles for protection against predators.
These beautiful fish whose males usually outshine the females for colour also change dramatically from juvenile to adult. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/12833
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