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When I set out to photograph parrotfish on a three-week diving trip to the northern tip of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in the winter of 2021, I had a specific goal in mind: I wanted to see a school of these strange animals swimming together. .
There are so many weird and wonderful creatures that live in the ocean, but this particular species of parrotfish stands alone with its odd bite, formidable size, prominent forehead, and tendency to travel in large groups. Bumpheads can grow to more than a meter long and about 46 kilograms, about the same weight as the average adult chimpanzee, making them the largest parrotfish and one of the largest reef fishes in the world. They also play an important role in the ecosystem: with their beak-like teeth, they soak up algae from corals. In the process, other reef material is swallowed and excreted as sand.
One morning, on a pre-sunrise dive, I descended to a reef where other divers had spotted waterheads, waiting for my chance. Luck was on my side: it wasn’t long before I found a cluster of about 40 individuals huddled close to the coral. The fish appeared to be completely still above a small bommie (reef) and were so crowded that their bodies were touching. As I got closer, the parrotfish tightened even more, watching my every move. Reef fish are notoriously skittish, but this school stood still while I took a photo.
The underwater world is full of fascinating species. Photographing them in their habitat is both challenging and rewarding, and I love sharing these moments with others.