divepix - Redtail Parrotfish

Redtail Parrotfish

Aspect:	Redtail Parrotfish tends to have a slightly more pointed nose. All parrotfishes sport a stong elongated oval body boasting large scales, prominent mouth with bill-like frontal teeth (hence the name) with which they bite away at coral. Difficult to believe that initial and terminal phases seen here belong to the same species.
Population:	Terminal phase relatively rare around Ilets Pigeon.
Notable feature:	Initial phase (top in title picture): Mottled white and red-brown. Terminal phase: blue-green, with reddish crescent in tail fin. Ventral area is yellowish, but area immediately behind the pectoral fins is more resolutely blue.
Environment:	Swims around rocks and coral boulders from which it violently bites off coral and algae.
Behaviour:	Can be approached within one or two metres.