Fish passing through
Sea bream look for prey, wrasse swim between the leaves and salema can graze on the living plant. Other fish catch small invertebrates or cross the meadow on their way between rocky and sandy habitats.
Shelter for young fish
Tall leaves can block a predator’s view, get in its way and slow the water moving past. That can give young fish, including some sea bream, somewhere to hide. Other young fish grow up over sand, among rocks or in harbours. Which habitat helps depends on the size of the fish, the depth and how closely the leaves grow.
A community on the leaves
Tiny algae, bryozoans and hydroids can grow on the surface of a leaf. These epiphytes use the leaf as a place to attach. Older leaves often carry more of them, and a thick covering can block some of the light. Snails and crustaceans feed there, and fish can come looking for them.
