Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Redband parrotfish
Size:
Redband parrotfish grow to be 17 cm (6.7 inches) on average.
Diet:
Parrotfish are herbivores. They feed on algae by using their parrot-like beaks to scrape the algae off of corals and other rocky substrates. They use pharygeal (throat) teeth to grind and rock they ingest into sand.
Range & Habitat:
Inhabiting coral reef communities and seagrass meadows, this parrotfish is commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Caribbean islands.
Details:
Male redband parrotfish have a red stripe running from the corner of their mouth with black and yellow splotches near the pectoral fin. Females are yellow-green in color with blue sides and a red belly. Parrotfish have two large, fused teeth at the front of their mouthes.