Parrotfish play an important role in the growth of coral reefs. Studies have shown when parrotfish are prevented from feeding along the area of the reef, the coral is ‘smothered’ to death by the growth of algal mats. The grazing activity of parrotfish keeps this in check.
Parrotfish (and other reef fish) depend on the reef for food and protection and in turn the reef depends on parrotfish to maintain its health.
Be aware that fish caught in the vicinity of St. Martin may carry ciguatera - a fish poisoning that occurs in reef fish and can give dreadful reactions when eaten.

Parrotfish are herbivores that eat plant life by chewing hard corals and digesting the encrusting algae and zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae that lives in coral polyps.) They will also eat sea grass if it is available.

Parrotfish are different to other fish they have teeth formed like a strong beak. They also have ‘molar-like’ teeth in their throats that grind up coral so that stomach acid can digest the algae found in and around the coral. The ground up coral is later excreted by the fish in the form of sand. In this way, the parrotfish can contribute enormous amount of sediment to the sea bottom and beaches – over one ton of sand per year!
There are some parrotfish that secrete a sticky mucous when they rest at night, this forms a transparent cocoon around the fish’s body. Scientist believe that the cocoon protects the fish from predators by masking the scent of the fish.

There are over 80 different species of parrotfish varying in colour and pattern even between males, females and juveniles, with each going through a variety of colour changes as they age.
Colours range from blues, yellows, browns, blacks, reds, bright orange and greens. The variety in colour has made it difficult for scientists to tell exactly the number of different species that exist.