Within two to four days, this female has changed color and sex to become a blueheaded supermale. T he new male can now fertilize the eggs of the harem members. In some species of wrasses, it is simply the largest female who changes sex. Although they are not known to have harems, it is possible that dominance and size plays a part in sex reversal among the parrotfishes as well. Parrotfish spawn or produce eggs all year round, although this activity is more frequent in the summer.
Some species move to specific areas to spawn, typically into deeper areas of the reef.
Supermales pair up with one female to spawn, while primary ma les mate with small groups containing one female and several males. After spawning, they return to the shallow water at night. Fertilized eggs hatch after 25 hours. The larvae are only 1.7 mm long and have no eyes, mouth or pigment. A mouth does not appear until the third day after hatching.