Inhabits reef areas.  The parrotfish's teeth are fused together, enabling them to scrape away hard coral outer skeletons to get at polyps inside.  These fish are thought to be a major factor in reef recycling.

Occasionally a female will change sex, increase in size, and take on a distinct appearance  as a terminal-phase male.  This is usually done to replace a missing male.

Edibility is poor. 

Range is Bermuda and Florida to Brazil.