What fish eats seaweed in the Great Barrier Reef?

What fish eats seaweed in the Great Barrier Reef?

Among the most important were two species of unicornfish, which removed numerous types of brown algae. A species of parrotfish consumed red seaweeds, while a rabbitfish ate a type of green seaweed that is particularly toxic to coral.

What are the main predators in the Great Barrier Reef?

Sharks are the boss of the reef, but large mobile apex predators such as tigers, hammerheads and bull sharks are the most vulnerable in conservation frameworks based only on Marine Protected Areas.

Do goby fish eat seaweed?

The gobies aren’t being entirely selfless. Gobies don’t just eat seaweed—they also eat mucus from the coral itself. “The fish are getting protection in a safe place to live and food from the coral,” explains Hay.

Do gobies eat algae?

This species is a herbivore feeding on algae off rocks on the bottom of the guts. Approaching the gut these species of fish appear to swim off frantically. Depending on the time of year and location, you may able to observe the spotted algae-eating goby due to its iridescent blue-green color.

What do wild freshwater shrimp eat?

So what do freshwater shrimp eat? In the wild, freshwater shrimp are scavengers that scour their native waterways looking for algae, bacteria and other microorganisms, decaying plant matter. They will also scavenge dead fish and even dead shrimp that they happen to find.

What causes damage to the Great Barrier Reef?

The Reef is highly vulnerable. In the past three decades, it has lost half its coral cover, pollution has caused deadly starfish outbreaks, and global warming has produced horrific coral bleaching. Coastal development also looms as a major threat.

Where do gobies live in the Great Barrier Reef?

Gobies have a rounded head, elongated body and no lateral line. Two dorsal fins are present – the first has eight, flexible spines, whilst the second is soft. 6 They can be found worldwide from shallow seas, to over 1,000m. Some freshwater species can climb waterfalls and some can even live in mudflats above the high water line! 1,5,6

What kind of fish live in the Great Barrier Reef?

The more than 1,500 species of fish inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef range from tiny gobies and larger bony fishes, such as tusk fish and potato cods, up to massive cartilaginous fish such as manta rays, tiger sharks, and whale sharks.

What kind of fish does a mandarin goby eat?

A mandarin goby eats copepods, a small invertebrate (crustacean) that is a staple of many marine fish species. But unlike other saltwater fish species commonly kept in home aquariums, the mandarin goby often only eats live foods like copepods and occasionally brine shrimp or mysis shrimp. Are Mandarin gobies reef safe?

How many species of fish are in Gobiidae?

Gobiidae is the largest family of marine fishes, with over 1,700 described species, in more than 200 genera. They represent nearly 10% of all fish species and many more are yet to be described! 1,5,6 Commonly known as Gobies, they are generally small, benthic (bottom dwelling) fish, living in the sand or coral rubble.