Sandy Scaridae

Parrotfish collectively produce an estimated 85 million tons of sand globally each year.

They create this sand by grazing on coral reefs, scraping algae and dead coral with their beak-like teeth, and then grinding it up with specialized pharyngeal jaws.

The indigestible calcium carbonate material is excreted as fine sand, playing a crucial role in building and maintaining tropical beaches and contributing to reef sediment ecosystems.

Without parrotfish, many iconic white sand beaches, especially in places like the Caribbean and Maldives, would erode much faster.