Parrotfish play a vital role in maintaining coral reef ecosystems. As herbivores, they help control algae growth that could otherwise overtake corals by scraping algae from the reef. Their feeding also produces the sand that forms beaches and protects shorelines. With their specialized jaws and teeth, parrotfish are able to efficiently feed on the reef and remove dead coral and algae, allowing new coral to grow. Their grazing behavior is critical to the health of the reef.

1. ECOLOGICAL
IMPORTANCE OF THE
PARROT FISH
Bridget-Dawn Dawkins

3. Overview
O This presentation entails information about the
parrotfish and will tell you why it is important to
our waters. It has ecological value which will be
discussed as well as adaptations, features and
function.

4. Parrotfish
O Parrotfish is the common name for members of the
large family Scaridae, which live in coral reefs
throughout the Caribbean as well as the Atlantic and
Pacific ocean.
O They vary in colour and pattern even between males,
females and juveniles, with each going through a
variety of colour changes as they age
(Polychromatism). (Jamaica Environment Trust,
2013.)
O “There are about 80 identified species, ranging in size
from less than 1 to 4 feet in length.” (National
Geographic Society, 2013)
O Herbivores

5. O Powerful jaws of fused teeth
“beaks”, and bright colours
gives parrotfishes their common
family name.
O Pass through three phases:
Juvenile Phase, Initial Phase,
and Terminal Phase.
O (Humann P.,et, al, 2002)
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-
reef-fishes.html

6. http://www.pbcrrt.org/PBFQ_07.sht
ml
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/nashworld/4525704
867/
http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/about/fishlist2.html
Juvenile Phase Initial Phase
Terminal Phase

7. O highly specialized jaws,
mouths and teeth perfectly
suited for scraping algae
from hard coral surfaces.
(William A, 2012)
http://paulduxfield.squarespace.com/gallery/und
erwater-compact-camera-demo-
shots/10390071
Adaptations

9. O They excrete two different mucus types:
O During the DAY
The mucus has antioxidant properties to
repair any bodily damage
repel any parasites
protection from UV light
early warning detection system
O During the NIGHT
extrudes a protective cocoon that
envelopes and secures the fish at a particular
location and hides its scent from any
predators
(Thailand divers 2013)

10. http://www.omiya.com/Hawaii2002/Kauai/Sleeping%20Parrot%20Fis
h.jpg

11. Did you know?
O Some male parrot fish maintain harems of
females. If the dominant male dies, one of
the females will change gender and color
and become the dominant male.
http://www.scubadorable.com/meet/princess-parrotfish/

12. O Hermaphroditic life style.
O Reduce interspecies competition for food
resources within the reef community.
O (Leonard. J, 2003)

13. Types of Parrot Fish
http://reefguide.org/pixhtml/stoplightparrotfish
6.html
Female (Initial Phase)Male (Terminal Phase)
O http://reefguide.org/pixhtml/stoplig
htparrotfish14.html
Stoplight Parrotfish Sparisoma viride

14. Midnight Parrotfish Terminal
Phase Scarus coelestinus
Princess Parrotfish - Terminal Phase
O http://reefguide.org/pix/midnightparrot7.jpg http://reefguide.org/carib/pixhtml/princess
parrot12.html
Princess Parrotfish Terminal
Phase Scarus taeniopterus

15. Redband Parrotfish Initial
Phase Sparisoma aurofrenatum
O Blue Parrotfish Terminal Phase
Scarus coeruleus
http://reefguide.org/carib/blueparrot.html
http://www.ryanphotographic.com/scaridae.
htm

16. Coral Reefs
O Coral reef are hard masses of sedimentary rocks
produced by living organisms. These may include:
calcareous algae, molluscs (squid, octopus, clams,
oysters) or polychaeta (worms)
O Organisms that depend on coral reefs:
O Zooxanthellae (algae)
O Microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, and viruses)
O Sea Urchin
(Harmelin, V.,2008)

17. http://theresilientearth.com/?q=content/bleached-coral-reefs-bounce-back

18. Importance of Coral Reefs
O Habitat
O Source of food
O Water Filtration (enhanced quality and clarity of
near shore waters.)
O Protect shorelines from wave action and prevent
erosion
O Used in tourism (diving)

19. Ecological Importance of the
Parrotfish
O “parrotfish play a critical role
as grazers keeping algae in
check. Without grazers, algae
out-compete the coral until
they weaken or even die.”
O Parrotfish are constantly eating
and digesting bits of coral
whole, and excreting sand that
helps create beaches.(Chi. L.,
2009)
http://www.clarku.edu/departments/biology
/biol201/2004/mmassaua/herbivory.cfm

20. Maintains the health of
coral reefs by:
O removing sick and dead
corals
O cleaning areas for new
corals to settle
O removing weedy growth
O removing tones of sand
and sediment that would
otherwise smother the
corals
O (Herold,D, 2008)
http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-
images/1566-304426

21. Reference
O Deloach, N., and Humann, P., (2002),Reef Fish
Identification 3rd Edition, Florida Caribbean Bahamas, p.g
192.
O Took,I., (1979), Fishes of the Caribbean Reefs, p.g 68-71.
O William, A., Ph.D., (2010-2012), Coral Reef Fish, Coral-
Reef-Info.com
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-fishes.html
O National Geographic Society., (1996-2013) Parrot Fish
Scaridae,
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/parrot-

22. Reference Cont.
O Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), Fish 2013.
http://www.jamentrust.org/did-you-know/fish.html
O Thailand Divers, Parrotfish, 2013.
http://www.thailand-divers.com/fish-all/parrotfish.htm
O Herold, D., (2008)Parrotfish play vital role in preserving coral.
reefshttp://www.deccanherald.com/content/211129/F
O Science Daily, (2013) ,Parrotfish Critical To Coral Reefs:
Permanent Damage Likely Unless Urgent Action Taken,
Scientists
Warnhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071031112
907.htm

23. Summary
O There are over 80 species of parrot fish in our
Caribbean waters
O Parrotfish are the main producers of sand
O Mainly feed on dead coral reefs
O Feed on algae that could chock coral reefs