Parrotfish

Scaridae

The reef's gardeners — parrotfish crunch coral with their beak-like teeth, producing the white sand on tropical beaches. Listen for the scraping sounds as they feed, and look for the spectacular terminal-phase males in electric blues and greens.

Last updated April 2026

Species

Parrotfish

Sparisoma cretense(4 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 50 cm2–30mRocky reef

The Mediterranean's only parrotfish — grey-green body with reddish-brown fins and a parrot-like beak. Males develop brighter blue-green tones.

Grazes algae from rocky reefs in small groups, often in shallow sun-lit waters — listen for the distinctive crunching sound as it scrapes rock.

Observed at

Small Crack(Sharm El Sheikh)

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