Trivia question for Oct-07-2011

Carter likes these brightly colored fish.  Check out what he discovered.  These guys use fused teeth as a beak to graze on tiny plants that grow on reef limestone.

They are found in relatively shallow tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, but with the largest species richness in the Indo-Pacific. The approximately 90 species are found in coral reefs, rocky coasts and seagrass beds, and play a significant role in bioerosion.

A number of species, secrete a mucus cocoon, particularly at night. Prior to going to sleep, some species extrude mucus from their mouths, forming a protective cocoon that envelops the fish, presumably hiding its scent from potential predators. This mucous envelope may also act as an early warning system, allowing the fish to flee when it detects predators such as moray eels disturbing the protective membrane. The skin itself is covered in another mucous substance that may have antioxidant properties that may serve to repair bodily damage, or serve to repel parasites, in addition to providing protection from UV light.

So here are Carter’s questions: Tell us what kind of fish this is and also what is special about the female fish of this species?  Also, tell us how large these fish can get?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to Leng from Guìyáng China for being the first with the correct answer. The colorful fish we featured is the Parrotfish. Parrotfishes are a group of fishes that traditionally have been considered a family, but now often are considered a subfamily of the wrasses. They are found in relatively shallow tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world.

With changing conditions, a female can change her sex and appearance, taking on glowing colors to increase her breeding potential.  The largest parrotfish can weigh up to 119-lbs. and grow to more than 4-feet in length.  Here is more on these unique fish: Parrotfish

Thanks for playing along 😉