Mediterranean Parrotfish Sparisoma cretense

The adult male of the Mediterranean Parrotfish, above left, is plain greyish, whereas the adult female, above right, is mainly red with some yellow. Females can transition to males before they mature but not after.

Parrotfish are related to wrasse but have very different dentition. Their teeth are arranged like a beak so that they can scrape algae off coral and rock.

Mediterranean Parrotfish are native to coasts and reefs of the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic.

They typically grow to some 30cm long but can reach 50cm.