Description

Also known as Greenlip Parrotfish, Greensnout Parrotfish.

Found singly foraging for food over mixed algae, coral and rubble areas of shallow reef flats, reef fronts and rocky shores, close to high islands rich in coral growth.
They feed on benthic algae.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 1-15m
Widespread Western 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/Scarus-viridifucatus