Our study highlights the effect of the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis on the feeding behaviour of the tropical surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus. The presence of A. taxiformis chemical cues reduced A. triostegus feeding, suggesting that the presence of this algae could affect not only the survival of fish in the post-larval stage, but also alter the grazing pressure on coral reefs.
Keywords: algae-herbivore interactions; chemical defences; herbivorous fish foraging; larval recruitment.
© 2019 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.