found in mangroves as these serve as a safe habitat free from serious predators, and with a rich supply of nutrition. 3.

Florent's Guide To The Tropical Reefs - Rainbow Parrotfish - Scarus guacamaia - Parrotfishes - - Parrotfishes - Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda - There are several different types of parrot fish- the Key West Aquarium houses rainbow parrotfish and midnight parrotfish. Size Rainbow parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia) may grow up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in length Diet Algae and coral Incubation What are its primary food sources? Another reason why the name parrotfish is so fitting for the marine animal (closely related to the wrasses) is like a parrot, they are very colorful. Are rainbow parrotfish k selected species or r selected? They are found in tropical waters throughout the world and appear in a wide variety of colors, which may change depending on their sex, status, or maturity. Common name: Rainbow Parrotfish. They are greenish-brown in color with dull orange and green fins.

Meet the incredible parrotfish, whose coral-crunching bite can be heard on tropical reefs worldwide. Scientific name: Scarus guacamaia.

This cocoon protects the sleeping parrotfish from bloodsucking parasites. Would it be classified as a keystone, foundation, or indicator species, or none of these?

What are its primary predators? Who I’d like to meet: I would like to meet a bunch of lady rainbow parrotfish that will be a part of my harem. Feeding: Although parrot fish are considered to be herbivores, they eat a wide variety of reef organisms. Wildscreen's Arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world's biggest encyclopaedia of life on Earth. But you will need a large tank to keep this 45 lbs.

A mucous substance also helps heal damage, repel parasites, & protect them from UV light. Rainbow parrotfish Scarus guacamaia Cuvier, 1829 Description: Parrotfish owe their name to the shape of their mouth.

Also known as the Blue Rainbow.

Parrotfish have thick, heavy bodies and large scales. Some species secrete a protective mucous cocoon to sleep in or to conceal themselves from predators. They mostly get food in the coral reefs, with their diet consisting mainly of algae, seaweed and organic matter from the coral surfaces. They have even rows of large, noticeable scales on their bodies. The rainbow parrotfish are at the herbivore trophic level. What is its position in the food web? The Rainbow Parrotfish is found in the Western Atlantic, Caribbean region growing up to 100cm in length.

Rainbow parrotfish Scarus guacamaia is the largest herbivorous fish in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea and is found in both mangrove and coral reef habitats (Mumby 2006).