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. DIVENTURES MAGAZINE 36