Scientific Name: Scaridae (Family of over 90 species)

Types:

• Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride)
• Rainbow Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia)
• Blue Parrotfish (Scarus coeruleus)
• Bicolor Parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor)
• Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) – The largest species

Habitat:

• Found in tropical coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rocky coastlines.
• Prefer shallow waters up to 30 meters (100 feet) but can be found deeper.
• Often seen grazing on coral reefs, helping maintain reef health.

Diet:

• Herbivorous – primarily feed on algae and coral polyps.
• Their beak-like teeth allow them to scrape algae from rocks and corals.
• Their digestion creates fine white sand, contributing to beach formation.

Reproduction:

• Many species are sequential hermaphrodites, starting as females and later changing into males.
• External fertilization – eggs are released into the water column.
• Some species form harems, with one dominant male and multiple females.

Spotting Tips:

• Look for bright, multicolored scales and a beak-like mouth.
• Often seen grazing on corals or swimming in small groups.
• Some species create a mucus cocoon at night to protect themselves from predators.

Countries:

• Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, especially in the Indo-Pacific, the Caribbean, the Red Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Commonly seen in Hawaii, Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and Florida.