Biology

Adults occur solitarily or in small groups in lagoons, harbors, coastal reefs and outer reef slopes, frequently among branching alcyonarians. Also found in mangrove creeks (sometimes in freshwater), brackish lagoons and shallow reefs exposed to freshwater runoff; found well upstream in pure freshwater (Ref. 48636). Feed primarily on benthic algae. 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).