Blue-barred Parrotfish

The Blue-barred Parrotfish is one of the most visually stunning fish on UAE's Gulf of Oman reefs. Adults are a magnificent turquoise-green with pink and orange facial markings. Uses fused beak-like teeth to scrape algae from coral, producing the distinctive crunching sound heard by divers.

Species Stats

Diet

Algae scraped from coral surfaces, coral polyps

Habitat

Coral reefs, rocky areas with algae growth

Local Name (Arabic)

ببغاء

Fun Facts

• 1

  Each parrotfish produces up to 90 kg of white sand per year by excreting ground coral — creating UAE's sandy beaches.

• 2

  Sleeps at night inside a transparent mucus cocoon — thought to mask its scent from predators.

• 3

  Can change both colour and sex during its lifetime.

Found In