The damselfish and its garden

The threespot damselfish feeds on the algae growing in its patch of reef. When it chases other grazers away, fewer of them get to feed there.

A damselfish above its algal turf.
The algal turf provides food for the damselfish. © dive.explo360.fr — All rights reserved. Reproduction requires permission.
A damselfish and a grazer near an algal patch.
In this illustrated scene, repeated chases give a clue to where the fish’s territory ends. © dive.explo360.fr — All rights reserved. Reproduction requires permission.

A boundary revealed by chasing

A territory is a defended area. To spot one, watch several approaches and see where the damselfish stops chasing. A warning may be enough, and chasing every visitor takes energy.

Three resources worth defending

1

Food

An algal patch feeds the damselfish.
2

Reproduction

A rock surface holds the damselfish’s eggs.
3

Shelter

An anemone shelters a group of clownfish.

A damselfish guards its eggs

During the breeding season, a male Mediterranean damselfish prepares a patch of rock for eggs to stick to. He stays close and fans water over the eggs with his fins.

A dark Mediterranean damselfish above eggs on a rock.
Mediterranean damselfish often school above the seabed. Breeding males guard eggs laid on the substrate. © dive.explo360.fr — All rights reserved. Reproduction requires permission.

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