Biology

Adults occur close to shore in rocky or dead reef areas where visibility is often reduced due to silting and wave action. Territorial, they maintain and 'weed' filamentous algae patches growing on dead coral (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).