Microspathodon
chrysurus
Yellowtail
damselfish create small lesions on elkhorn coral, A. palmata
colonies found within fishes territories. These bite marks are
dispersed over the upper branch surface. Bite marks are circular
to crescent-shaped and generally 1-2 cm diameter. Polyps may be
abraded, but bite marks are very shallow. Single corals often
exhibit damselfish lesions in various stages, including recent
bites and bite marks that have new tissue regenerating over the
injury.
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A. palmata yellowtail damselfish bites |
Closeup of a yellowtail damselfish bite on elkhorn coral. In the
lower right, the upper surface of the skeleton (corallite structures)
and tissue have been grazed by a yellowtail damselfish. In upper
left tissue has regrown over a previous scar.
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These
bite marks are very different from those created by the Three
Spot Damselfish, and the stoplight parrotfish, Stegastes
planifrons.
Grazing
scars on elkhorn coral, A. palmata, caused by stoplight parrotfish,
Sparisoma viride.
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