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The big-beaked, rock-munching fish that protect coral reefs - Mike Gil

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TEDEd Animation

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As the sun rises over a quiet coral reef, one animal breaks the morning silence. Named for its vibrant scales and beak-like teeth, the parrotfish devours a particularly crunchy breakfast: rocks. Why would any creature take bites out of the seafloor? Mike Gil explores how these quirky and flashy foragers play a key role in defending the essential coral reef ecosystem.

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Coral reefs provide humans and wildlife with many services, but how do coral reefs form, and what can disrupt this process?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Mike Gil
  • Director Franz Palomares
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Illustrator Tara Sunil Thomas
  • Sound Designer Carlos Palomares
  • Composer Carlos Palomares
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Julia Dickerson

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