Diventures Magazine | English Edition August 2020 | Page 36

35
MARINE LIFE
This familiar sound, which rings in the
ears of every tropical and subtropical
diver, is the creaking teeth of a parrotfish,
which uses a sharp beak to break bits of
coral. Coral reefs are among the most
diverse ecosystems in the world. The
abundant sunlight allows the
Zooxanthellae residing within the reefs to
photosynthesize, providing nutrients for
coral growth.
Coral reefs provide shelter for many
species of fish, baby octopuses and
moray eels. However, not all of these fish
seek shelter in coral reefs. Parrot fish
seek food directly from the algae found
within the reef.
Parrot fish are wonderful to be seen. It
can live up to seven years and grow up to
two meters. It is their varied colors, along
with its toothed beak, that gives it its
name. But if their amazing appearance
isn't enough to impress you, it might
excite you that these fish also make sand.
Parrot fish are unable to digest corals, so
after they digest the algae inside, they
excrete undigested corals on the ocean
floor. In the form of sand, think about this
the next time you search for shark teeth
in the sand or wander on a moonlit
beach.
Diventures Magazine August 2020