Biology

Adults inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs. They are found within caves at night (Ref. 9626). Often found in tangles of staghorn coral; anywhere there is abundant algae on reefs (Ref. 26938). Feed mainly on algae but also on harpacticoid copepods, small gastropods, eggs of mollusks, sponges, polychaetes and hydroids (Ref. 9626). Juveniles subsist on the external parasites of fishes (Ref. 5521). Adults pugnaciously guard large territories, will chase and nip intruders of all sizes, including divers (Ref. 9710). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets (Ref. 5217).