Parrotfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parrotfish |
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| Bicolour parrotfish | |
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Labroidei
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| Family: |
Scaridae
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Parrotfishes are a group of marine fishes that live in shallow tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. Previously considered to form a separate family (Scaridae), these fish are now thought to belong to the large family of wrasses (Labridae). Their numbers are largest in the Indo-Pacific region where they are found in and around coral reefs and seagrass beds. They play an important part in bioerosion. There are about 95 species of parrotfish living today.
Parrotfish are very colourful. Their name comes from the parrot-like beak formed by their teeth. The buccal cavity (cheek) of the parrotfish secretes the 'sleeping sack' that the fish sleeps in overnight. It is a semi-translucent sack which completely surrounds the parrot fish. In the morning the sack is discarded. You can see these on the sea bed floor during the following day.
Images for kids
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Scarus zelindae in its mucus cocoon
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The strong beak of Bolbometopon muricatum is able to grind the sturdiest corals.
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The bicolor parrotfish (Cetoscarus bicolor) was described by Rüppell in 1829. In 1835, he mistakenly described the terminal phase, featured on this photo, as a separate species, C. pulchellus
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Female Scarus psittacus (= initial phase)
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Male Scarus psittacus (= terminal phase)
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Scarus globiceps (male)
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Calotomus viridescens
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Cetoscarus ocellatus
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Hipposcarus longiceps
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See also
In Spanish: Pez loro para niños
