Scarus psittacus, commonly known as parrotfish, is named for its parrot-like beak, which it uses to bite off chunks of coral that it crushes and digests. Most of the sediment found on white sandy beaches is parrotfish poop.
![](https://theethogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/scarus1.png?w=550)
Art and fact by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & Tiktok @DiverDarien
[Edited by Nicole Rodrigues]
References:
Perry C.T. , Kench, P.S., O’Leary, M.J., Morgan, K.M. , & Januchowski-Hartley, F. (2015). Linking reef ecology to island building: Parrotfish identified as major producers of island-building sediment in the Maldives. Geology, 43 (6), 503–506. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36623.1
Morgan K.M., & Kench P.S. (2016). Parrotfish erosion underpins reef growth, sand talus development and island building in the Maldives. Sedimentary Geology, 341, 50-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.05.011