Other Techniques

Other Techniques

1. Filter Feeders
2. Suspension Feeders: Distinguished from filter feeders because they actively capture food particles from the water with tentacles
   1. Corals
      • Supplements food derived from Zooxanthellae
      • Usually at night
3. Planktivores - Eat plankton. Include fishes such as Blue Chromis, Brown Chromis, and Creole Wrasse
   1. • Physical Properties
        • tend to have small bodies that are streamlined and have forked tails to enhance propulsion
        • catching tiny fragile plankton requires small mouth without strongly developed teeth but with jaws capable of rapid and extensive protrusion to snatch the prey
        • smaller species tend to have monochromatic coloring - makes it harder for predators to see them
        • keen eyesight and binocular vision to pick out and catch plankton
      • Behavioral Properties
        • Large species such as Whale Shark or Giant Manta swim through water column with open mouth to catch plankton. Don't need to worry about predators due to size
        • Smaller species often found in schools if feeding off reef - subject to more predation
        • some species feed off bottom of reef keep belly close to substrate
          • Yellowhead Jawfish - inhabit sandy bottoms and near holes - will retreat into holes if threatened
          • Fairy Basslets - remain close to reef and keep belly hovering just over substrate
        • Some species are nocturnal (Cardinalfishes, Squirrelfishes)
          • distinguished by large, sensitive eyes
          • hide under corals during day
4. Detritivores