The Mesoamerican Reef in Mexico is curiously short of Parrot Fish…necessary for eating algae so corals aren’t smothered! Algae is a true enemy of coral reefs, and the Parrot Fish is essential to keep it in check. Besides, they are quite colorful and engaging fish!
- Parrot fish come in every size and color you can think of! Blues, oranges, reds, blacks, whites, greens….it goes on and on.
- They have a lot of tiny teeth, necessary for cleaning the reef. Parrots live on the reefs, or the sea bed grasses.
Check out the beaklike mouth with lots of teeth! 
Small Redtail Parrot has a lot of little teeth! - There are over 90 species of Parrot Fish!
Stoplight Parrotfish, terminal phase. 
Key Largo Stoplight Parrotfish Initial Phase - Parrot Fish are born female but can change sex several times during their life spans…the genders of the fish are kept in balance by this amazing ability.
A Redband Parrot 
Socorro Islands…Bumphead Parrotfish - Their beaklike mouth has sharp teeth which pulverize rocky coral areas while they feed on algae. By pulverizing the little rocks they break off, they create sand for the reef.
A big smile! 
Cozumel Blue Parrot 
Mozambique Tricolor Parrot - Parrot Fish hide at night and cover themselves with mucus to hide from their predators.
A Parrotfish hiding at night 
Hiding 
Camo…can you spot the Parrotfish? - Some types of parrot fish form large shoals, or “schools”.
Schooling….ready to mate in the shallows. 
Beautiful Princess 
Princess Parrotfish 
Cozumel Bluelip Parrot - They mate and spawn in shallow water, and baby Parrot fish are often found in the shallows of the reef system.
- People should not take Parrot Fish from the water, they are needed for the health of the reef. Most “eating” fish are found in deep water.
It is quite fun to watch the larger Parrot Fish smashing the coral…you can hear it underwater!
I always learn something from your posts. Have you been to dive with the Mantas at Socorro?
Oh yes, yes, yes. I’m going mid February to dive with the humpbacks, mantas, sharks, dolphins, etc!
Hi Tam! You have some amazing fish photos! I especially like the teeth and “lips” on that orange one! Thanks for sharing! ~Kathy
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Aren’t they sweet?? I love them.
The second photo looks like a grouper to me. How is it different from grouper? Thank you.
I was told in Thailand it was a Green Parrot, but I think you are correct…I cannot find this exact fish in my ID guides, but it does have the characteristics of a sea bass or grouper, more than a parrot. I will remove it! Thank you!