Where does the sand come from? There are many sources. But the one described in this article may surprise you. It's a fish that turns corals into fine sand: the parrot fish!
Parrotfish live in various tropical waters around the world. After swallowing the crushed coral, they scoop out small pieces of food and excrete the rest as sand. To do its job, the parrotfish uses its powerful beak-shaped jaws and strong rear teeth. Some species can live without teeth for up to 20 years.
In some areas, parrotfish produce more sand than any other natural sand process by eating dead coral. Some researchers estimate that a typical parrot fish produces hundreds of pounds of sand per year.
The parrot fish fulfills another important role. Rubbing hard on dead corals covered in algae and plant matter also keeps it clean. The parrot fish's special diet keeps the reef in good condition. Where they and other herbivores are absent, the reef is quickly clogged with algae and algae. Some suggest that modern coral reefs in their current form would not exist without herbivores.
All of these daytime activities require a good night's sleep, and parrotfish are rare here too. The night on the reef is dangerous as many predators are free. Parrotfish often sleep tucked under a ledge, but this hiding place doesn't always protect them from a hungry shark.
For added security, some parrot fish pack for the night. They secrete a protective mucus surrounding them that resembles a see-through nightgown. Marine researchers believe this smelly shell protects them from predators.
Parrotfish is one of the most visible and attractive reef fish. Male and female parrotfish usually come in a full range of bright colors that change as they grow up. More importantly, parrotfish become very tame in areas where they are not overfished. Therefore, they are some of the easiest fish to watch.
Few reef explorers will ever forget to approach a parrotfish while watching and hearing it chew on coral. And while parrotfish are at their best, they keep their environment healthy for other reef creatures and us humans.