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The Superheroes Of The Sea: Parrotfish

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Parrotfish are more than just ordinary fish. As well as being able to create pyjamas for itself, it can also help create coral reefs!

Living alongside many other fish, such as clownfish and stonefish, the parrot fish may seem ordinary. But in reality, it anything but. One of it’s amazing powers includes creating ‘pyjamas’. It essentially vomits out a thick protective mucus that coats its body and stops predators from picking up its scent Night-night, parrotfish!

Adding to this, they can also change from male to female! It might sound impossible, but the parrotfish thinks not. Scientists, don’t know how this happens though; maybe they can’t change!

Why do white sandy beaches look so nice? Probably not because they are actually made of parrotfish poo! Yep, you heard that right - they can also help to form coral reefs! 

As remarkable coral reef residents, these superheroes of the sea can come in many different colours and sizes. Their front teeth are fused together to make a beak, and use these jaw-breaking chompers to tear of chunks of coral and rip out the algae inside. They then digest it though a complicated process of tubes and stomachs and then poos it out as a fine sand. Wow, that’s amazing!

Parrotfish have lots more tricks, but sadly their homes are dying. Help save coral reefs by using less plastic and follow the rules lifeguards say when swimming near coral reefs.
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