However, parrotfish do use their bluntly shaped tails when they need a quick burst of speed. In 1968 is was found that parrotfish, like wrasses, can undergo sex reversal. In this case, a female fish becomes a male. Secondary males are sometimes called supermales or terminal males. Females and primary males look alike and are red, gray, brown and black.
Secondary males are bright green, blue, red and yellow.
There a re also some species that maintain the same colors throughout their lifetime. As if this is not confusing enough, some parrotfish can change their colors to match the surroundings. Various color phases are also seen in wrasses, some are associated with sex change and others are not. Among blueheaded wrasses, primary males and females are yellow, sometimes with a black stripe. When he reaches a certain size, the primary male may c hange colors and become a supermale.