Sleeping Stoplight Parrotfish

On a night dive, I found several species of parrotfishes sleeping in nooks in the reef.

 

No, I did not wake it. I approached and retreated stealthily, for they cover themselves in a thin layer of mucus to hide their smell from nocturnal predators. If they are disturbed, their invisible shield is lost, making them vulnerable.

 

Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize

Done