Purple-brown Parrotfish
Scarus fuscopurpureus
Also known as: - No other name
- - No other name
Overview
Found in pairs or small schools, in shallow waters, over sand and weed bottoms, close to coral heads rich in algae growth.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Indian Ocean
- Country only · 5
Found in pairs or small schools, in shallow waters, over sand and weed bottoms, close to coral heads rich in algae growth.
Adult photos 5
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Deep dive
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