Parrot fish are found in relatively shallow tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, but primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. They are found in coral reefs, rocky coasts and seagrass beds, and play a significant role in bio-erosion. Their numerous teeth are arranged in a tightly packed mosaic on the external surface of the jaw bones, forming a parrot-like beak with which they pry algae from coral and other rocky substrates contributing to the process of bioe rosion.