Dotted Parrotfish
Calotomus viridescens
Also known as: Spinytooth Parrotfish, Viridescent Parrotfish
- Spinytooth Parrotfish
- Viridescent Parrotfish
Overview
Found singly or in small schools, over coral, rocks and seagrass beds of rocky reefs, rich in algae growth.
Western Indian Ocean - Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea
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 · 6
Found singly or in small schools, over coral, rocks and seagrass beds of rocky reefs, rich in algae growth.
Adult photos 6
Discussion
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Deep dive
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