Prettiest Pic Ever! No Price Yet! Trop Rules!!!

[binford4000]

nice picture. don't parrot fish need hard coral to survive tho ?? Seams to be species that would give anti aquarium folks more fuel to complain about. I have seen them all over the world diving and they are always chomping on rock and hard coral.

[Tropicorium]

Thank you for the post and observation. I've seen what you describe, and further, understand that attachment sites for tridacnidae clam larvae often is the gouge in a coral face made by a large parrot. However, the parrot is after the algae (zooxanthellae) in the tissue of the coral, more than the coral, itself, or so I understand. Unlike the tangs, who go off the reef to feed, the parrots mostly remain on the reef with little access to plant matter. With proper feeding, heavy in vegetable matter, the coral may be mostly safe. Perhaps a fish only tank might be safest.

[binford4000]

Thank you for the post and observation. I've seen what you describe, and further, understand that attachment sites for tridacnidae clam larvae often is the gouge in a coral face made by a large parrot. However, the parrot is after the algae (zooxanthellae) in the tissue of the coral, more than the coral, itself, or so I understand. Unlike the tangs, who go off the reef to feed, the parrots mostly remain on the reef with little access to plant matter. With proper feeding, heavy in vegetable matter, the coral may be mostly safe. Perhaps a fish only tank might be safest.

you are partially correct about the food source. The parrott fish species need the hard coral base to keep the never ending growing teeth at bay and in good condition. These fish eat so much live and dead coral that they are given credit for the white beaches we enjoy so much. Yup, we walk thru mostly Parrot fish dung on our beaches. Not knocking you for being creative of fish selection and this species really needs to be kept in a fish only system for sure. Honestly being a diver that frequents reefs as often as my time and money will allow me its important to understand that its not just Snorkel Bob that is anti aquarium and as responsable hobbiest we need to be careful of choices.I doubt anyone will cry about parrott fish.I see them in schools of hundreds often.But they will explode about the coral that this fish feeds on. Just a cautionary flag and not a slam Ray.GLWS