Surfperches Cichlids and Relatives: Labroidei

Physical characteristics: Striped parrotfish reach a length of about 14 inches (35 centimeters). In their first phase of life, these fish have dark stripes extending from head to tail. The most prominent stripe goes through the eye and nearly to the tail. Males in the final life stage are turquoise.

Geographic range: Striped parrotfish live in the eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil.

Habitat: Striped parrotfish live on reefs.

Diet: Striped parrotfish eat algae, which they scrape from rocks and other surfaces.

Parrotfish prepare for sleep by making a tube of mostly clear mucus that surrounds the body. (Illustration by Patricia Ferrer. Reproduced by permission.)

Behavior and reproduction: Parrotfish prepare for sleep by making a tube of mostly clear mucus that surrounds the body. The tube forms in about thirty to sixty minutes. The mucus tube hides the parrotfish from predators and may be an unpleasant-tasting barrier. Striped parrotfish form schools. They also change sex from female to male. These fish mate year-round in pairs or in groups, scattering their eggs, which float in open water.

Striped parrotfish and people: Striped parrotfish sometimes are fished and sold for food and sometimes are used in aquariums.

Conservation status: Striped parrotfish are not threatened or endangered. ∎