The Parrotfish is sold in some coastal markets. Recently, forums and online communities have called for a boycott of this fish for various special reasons.
Mr. Nguyen Van Quan – Associate Professor, PhD in Biology, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) stated: “Parrotfish (also known as Scaridae) belongs to the Scaridae family, a group of fish that primarily feed on algae and dead coral. They spend up to 90% of their day grazing the seafloor, creating opportunities for coral larvae to settle. In other words, they are the ‘workers’ diligently cleaning the coral reefs in tropical waters.”
According to research results from ichthyologists on coral reef fish, each individual Parrotfish can excrete up to 320 kg of fine sand (originating from coral skeletons) in one year.
In reality, Parrotfish are part of the intricate food web of the coral reef ecosystem and are considered biological indicators of reef health. The Scaridae family is a group of fish distributed in tropical marine areas of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Parrotfish (also known as Scaridae).
To date, scientists have identified nearly 100 species distributed across coral reefs and seagrass beds.
In Vietnam, 43 species of Parrotfish have been discovered, of which 13 species are commonly found.
A unique feature of this group of fish is their fused teeth (similar to a parrot’s beak), which allows them to bite through crustacean shells and grind coral skeletons to absorb attached algae and aid digestion.
Due to their feeding habits, many coral sandbanks at the base of reefs originate from the excretion of Parrotfish.
Another distinctive characteristic of this species is hermaphroditism. During their growth, Parrotfish will change from female to male.
Expert Nguyen Van Quan noted that humans are the number one consumers of Parrotfish in the marine food chain.
The primary methods of catching Parrotfish include the use of fine nets, traps, spears, and electric guns.
Reasons Not to Eat Parrotfish
1. There are plenty of fish available for you to catch in the sea.
2. Parrotfish eat algae and seaweed but particularly consume dead coral to excrete fine sand. They spend up to 90% of their day feeding. In other words, they clean the coral reefs.
This is crucial because most coral reefs across the tropics are being overshadowed by algae due to the insufficient number of Parrotfish and other herbivorous fish.
After feeding, they excrete a significant amount of fine white sand – up to 320 kg (700 pounds) per Parrotfish each year.
This fish grinds coral into sand.
Their populations have dwindled, and the level of algae is very high; they cannot be controlled anywhere in the Caribbean waters right now.
These colorful fish need to be left in the water. And when they are, they do a fantastic job.
A recent report concluded that the coral reefs where Parrotfish were abundant in the 1980s are now the healthy reefs.
From many sources. But you may be surprised about the fish described in this article. This is the fish that grinds coral into sand: the Parrotfish.
Parrotfish live in many tropical waters around the world.
After swallowing crushed coral, they absorb the nutrients from their food and then excrete the leftovers as sand. To do this, Parrotfish use their beak-like jaws and strong molar teeth. Some species can live up to 20 years without wearing down their teeth.
Please say no to catching Parrotfish. We should not buy Parrotfish so that they are not fished anymore.
