Description

Also known as - No other name.

Found in pairs or small schools, in shallow waters, over sand and weed bottoms, close to coral heads rich in algae growth.
They feed on filamentous algae.
Length - 38cm
Depth - 2-20m
Western Indian Ocean - Red Sea, Somalia

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/Scarus-fuscopurpureus.html