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How do parrot fishes use their beaklike teeth?

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Bluefin tuna swimming underwater in a group, with silvery bodies and streamlined shapes, near Japan. — perciform Bluefin tuna (*Thunnus thynnus orientalis*) in the waters near Japan.

Parrot fishes, which belong to the order Perciformes, possess a characteristic birdlike beak formed by the fusion of their jaw teeth. This specialized structure is strong enough to leave visible scars in coral reefs.12

The primary function of this beak is to scrape algae and the soft tissues of coral from the reef surface. Once the food and bits of coral are ingested, the fish use additional platelike teeth located in their throats to grind the material. This feeding behavior is a notable example of how perciform jaw structures have evolved to support diverse dietary habits.12