Description

Also known as Japanese Parrotfish, Pale Bullethead Parrotfish, Redtail Parrotfish, Red-tailed Parrotfish, Yellow-blotched Parrotfish.

Found singly or in small schools, foraging for food, over seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.
They feed on filamentous algae.
Length - 31cm
Depth - 1-20m
Widespread Pacific 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.in/summary/4978