Bumphead Parrotfish

Photo: 梁昭南 · CC BY-NC

A school of bumphead parrotfish visits the outer edge of Vase Rock in the early morning during the calmer months, their headbutts against coral producing an audible cracking sound that travels far underwater. These are among the largest parrotfish species in the world, reaching over a meter in length, and their presence at Little Liuqiu is a marker of recovering reef health. The school typically departs to deeper water by mid-morning, so sunrise dives maximize encounter probability.