View Single Post
Old 06-11-2005, 10:13 AM   #5 (permalink)
cheeks69
Wannabe Guru
 
cheeks69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northeast
Posts: 7,139
I thought this was very interesting also:

Quote:
A recent study which analysed the causal link between cleaner fish presence/absence and reef fish diversity at Ras Mohammed, Egypt, demonstrated that Labroides dimidiatus have a significant effect on local reef fish diversity with a more rapid increase in diversity being recorded when cleaner fish are added to individual reef patches [46]. Indeed, the removal of Labroides dimidiatus had no effects on fish abundance within the first few weeks, but a significant decline in fish diversity was recorded after a 4-20 month time period. On the other hand, the immigration or addition of Labroides dimidiatus individuals to reef patches led to an immediate, i.e. within 2-4 weeks, significant increase in fish diversity. In addition to playing a key role in reef health - and thus the removal of Labroides dimidiatus in large quantities for the aquarium trade potentially having negative impacts on reef diversity - aquarists are advised to avoid this species as it tends to fare poorly in aquarium conditions unless kept with a large community of fishes, and is not likely to accept substitute foods [47].
I don't know if you guys have seen the DVD " The Blue Planet " but there it mentions that at certain times there are mass migrations of fish to the reefs with the main purpose of being rid of parasitic infections it even shows Passer Angels on a feeding frenzy of parasites on Sharks.
__________________
Robert



My Cube

“A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein
cheeks69 is online now   Reply With Quote
ReefSanctuary Sponsor
Page generated in 0.07993 seconds with 9 queries