Happy August everybody! The beauty of Hanauma Bay and the marine life that live in it are the whole reason we snorkel. This month on the blog weʻre going back to the basics with a spotlight on one of our favorite park residents— the parrotfish!

One of Hawaii’s most loved fish is in fact the parrot fish. Well known for their vibrant colors, you may also see them featured as entrees in popular meals of several restaurants in the state. Easily recognized by their unique mouth shapes, parrot fish have teeth protruding from their jaw, giving them a beak-like mouth resembling the tropical fowl that they’re named after.

Though they’re technically considered herbivores, parrotfish can be found in Hanauma Bay with diverse diets including many polyps found on the reef. Utilizing their beaks, parrotfish easily collect the organisms from the reef’s rock-like surface.

Like many species of fish the parrotfish travel in schools of varying sizes (7” to 24”). They are diurnal creatures that spend their days eating off the coral and then sleep in the security of the small cracks and crevices formed between the reef and rocks. Some parrot fish can be found secreting a mucus to deter any would-be predators.

In Hawaii you may find seven different types of parrotfish roaming the waters— stareye, yellowbar, spectacled, bullet head, regal, pale nose, and redlip.

It’s safe to say we are obsessed with the bay and all of the beauty it has to offer. We absolutely love being able to call Hawaii home and Hanauma Bay work (though it feels more like play!). We find it essential that everyone experience the underwater magic at least once in their lifetime, and hope you’ll come to us to make it happen. Book yourself a snorkeling excursion right here on the website, or give us a call to learn more about our services. Aloha!