You will surely read the title that you think we are talking about a parrot that can fly, but in this case the parrot drink lives underwater. Yes, exactly! You think we're talking about fish.
Where does the sand come from? From different sources, but the article described in this article may surprise you. This is a fish that crushes corals on fine sand - parrots.
Parrot fish is found in tropical waters. After consuming corroded corals, it takes small pieces of food and then throws the rest in the form of sand. For this purpose, the fish uses powerful jaws like jaws and strong back teeth. Some species live up to 20 years without their teeth disappearing.
In some areas, when hard coring of dead corals, more sand is produced than in any other natural process. Researchers say a parrot produces about 100 kg of sand per year.
Fish also plays another important role. By intensely chewing the dead coral, covered with algae and vegetation, keep them clean. In this way the unusual menu of parrots preserves the good condition of the reef. In places where these and other plants are missing, feeding animals, algae and sea grass quickly cover the reef. The book Life on the Reef explains: "Some believe that modern reefs will not exist in their present form if they are not the animals that eat plants."
All this activity during the day requires a good break during the night and in this respect the parrots are also unusual. At night, the reef is dangerous, as many predators are active. Often this fish is hidden under bulge, but such a place does not always protect against hungry sharks.
For greater certainty, some fish are covered at night. They release a protective mucus that envelops them and looks like a transparent nightgown. Marine biologists believe that this bad smelling shell prevents them from predators.
The parrot is one of the most remarkable and attractive fish in the reefs. Men and women are often in a variety of bright colors that change when the fish reaches maturity. But above all, they are very quiet in areas where people do not catch them too much. That's why they are one of the easiest to watch fish.
Researchers of reefs who have seen parrot fish and heard how to chew corals would hardly forget that experience. In addition to being very beautiful, fish keep the environment clean, so other creatures and we, people, enjoy it.
Here are some interesting facts about the end:
Parrotfish (known to scientists as Scaridae) is a large family of about 80 different species found in tropical coral reefs. Their name comes from their characteristic mouth that resembles a parrot beak. The fish reach a length of 50 to 100 cm.