Aspect: All parrotfishes sport a strong elongated oval body boasting large scales, prominent mouth with bill-like frontal teeth (hence the name) with which they bite away at coral. Population: Common. Notable feature: Initial (or intermediate) phase: Overal dark grey body with white longitudinal patch from pectoral fin aft, maroon tail fin. Terminal (adult): generally dull green-grey body with characteristic green or blue bars above mouth plus another larger one under the mouth often interrupted by a pink bar. Horizontal green patch also adorns upper part of the eyes. Environment: Swims around rocks and coral boulders from which it violently bites off coral and algae. Builds a protective film bubble when sleeping at night under rock recesses, as seen in one of the photos below. Behaviour: Can be approached to about one metre.
