Diventures Magazine | English Edition August 2020 | Page 37

This wonderful fish also has the power to
change the sex. A female fish can be
completely as a female, change her sex,
and then be a male fish. This is known as
"chain hermaphroditism," and it is
common in the world of parrot fish. Male
parakeets keep a large number of
females. But if the male dies, one of the
females becomes a male and takes over
the leadership of the group.
Some members of this species form a
mucous cocoon around themselves
during their sleep, which scientists
believe is a way to mask their scent from
predators. Another opinion is that these
cocoons act as protection from parasites
while the fish are napping. Either way, if
you see during a night dive and you see a
stupid fish in that cocoon, you are one of
the lucky ones.
Currently, parrot fish are not listed as
threatened or endangered. However, it is
vulnerable to the same pressures that
harm endangered marine animals. Ocean
acidification is negatively affecting the
health of coral reefs, on which parrotfish
depend for a large proportion of their
diet.
8th ISSUE
Overfishing is another concern. While
this fish is not commonly eaten, it is
considered a delicacy in some parts of
the world.
Parrot fish are important in maintaining
the ecological balance, as they keep the
growth of algae under control, and if
their numbers increase, they may
suffocate coral reefs and reduce the
ability of coral reefs to provide an
essential habitat for many marine
species. And if your parrot fish
population is at risk, you won't find that
sand to roam on in the romantic
moonlight.
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