What Does a Humphead Parrotfish Eat? | Blue Planet | BBC Earth

Summary

Humphead parrotfish, with jaws powerful enough to bite through rock, play a significant role in reef erosion as they feed on both rock and coral for algae. The sand they produce from swallowed reef material forms tropical beaches, which over time can develop into islands. These islands become habitats for plants and animals, with trees taking root and birds contributing to soil enrichment. This cycle supports the growth of diverse plant life, highlighting the intricate relationship between the ocean ecosystem and land formation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Humphead parrotfish can grow up to nearly 1.5 meters in length.
• 😀 Their jaws are so powerful that they can bite through rock.
• 😀 The fish feed by descending to the reef, which faces significant threats as a result.
• 😀 Humphead parrotfish are indiscriminate feeders, consuming both rock and coral to access algae.
• 😀 The fish play a large role in the erosion of coral reefs.
• 😀 The rock and coral swallowed by the parrotfish later emerge as fine sand.
• 😀 This fine sand contributes to the formation of tropical beaches.
• 😀 On a single reef, humphead parrotfish can produce tons of sand every year.
• 😀 Over time, this sand accumulates and forms islands.
• 😀 These newly formed islands become habitats for plants and animals, with trees taking root and birds arriving.
• 😀 The guano from the birds enriches the sandy soil, promoting further plant growth.

Q & A

How long can a humphead parrotfish grow?

A humphead parrotfish can grow to nearly a meter and a half in length.

What makes the jaws of a humphead parrotfish powerful?

The jaws of a humphead parrotfish are powerful enough to bite through rock, enabling them to feed on algae.

What happens to the reef when humphead parrotfish feed?

The reef is under threat because humphead parrotfish are indiscriminate feeders, taking both rock and coral as they search for algae.

What role do humphead parrotfish play in the erosion of the reef?

Humphead parrotfish contribute to the erosion of the reef by swallowing rock and coral, which later emerge as fine sand.

How much sand can humphead parrotfish produce on a single reef?

On a single reef, humphead parrotfish can produce tons of sand every year.

What is the significance of the sand produced by the humphead parrotfish?

The fine sand produced by humphead parrotfish contributes to the formation of tropical beaches.

What happens to the sand over time?

Over time, the sand builds up and can form an island.

How does the island formed by the sand get colonized?

The island formed by the sand is colonized by animals and plants, with trees taking root and birds arriving.

What role does bird guano play in the colonization of the island?

The guano from thousands of birds that nest on the island enriches the sandy soil, making it suitable for supporting more plants.

How does the soil on the island support plant life?

The enriched soil, due to bird guano, can support more plants, fostering a thriving ecosystem on the island.