Page 133 - Caribbean Reef Life Demo

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arrot sh are only active in the daytime. Some species, such as the ueen arrot sh, will not only nd a safe crevice in the reef at night, but will also secrete a thin membrane of mucus around their bodies, like a sleeping bag. It is thought that this membrane masks their scent from the predators that are more active at night, such as Spotted Morays and Nurse Sharks. It also keeps the sh free from parasites that could attach themselves more easily to a sleeping victim. In the morning they wriggle out of these thin protective coverings and continue grazing.
Most parrot sh simply change color to blend in with the reef and rely solely on this camou age to get safely through the night. They have specialized skin cells with pigments that can be pressed up against their scales to change their color, sometimes dramatically. A mottled pattern will help to break up their outline. They can blend in with the bright colors of corals, sponges or even the white of the sand, hiding in plain sight.