Ecology Summary - Paracanthurus hepatus

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Main Ref.	Baensch, H.A. and H. Debelius, 1997
Remarks	It is generally found in clear water of outer reefs or channels where there are strong currents. Juveniles tend to hide among the branches of live coral (Ref. 54301). Occurs in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs. Observed in loose aggregations 1 or 2 meters above the bottom; juveniles and subadults typical in groups near isolated Pocillopora eydouxi coral heads and when alarmed hide themselves tightly among the branches. Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 9710, 48637). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699:32; 120956:331), courtship and spawning occurs from mid-afternoon to dusk (Ref. 38697).

Main Ref.

Baensch, H.A. and H. Debelius, 1997

Remarks

It is generally found in clear water of outer reefs or channels where there are strong currents. Juveniles tend to hide among the branches of live coral (Ref. 54301). Occurs in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs. Observed in loose aggregations 1 or 2 meters above the bottom; juveniles and subadults typical in groups near isolated Pocillopora eydouxi coral heads and when alarmed hide themselves tightly among the branches. Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 9710, 48637). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699:32; 120956:331), courtship and spawning occurs from mid-afternoon to dusk (Ref. 38697).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Paracanthurus hepatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	: rocky;
Substrate Ref.	Letourneur, Y., P. Chabanet, P. Durville, M. Taquet, E. Teissier, M. Parmentier, J.-C. Quéro and K. Pothin, 2004
Special habitats	Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref.	Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type	mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref.	Baensch, H.A. and H. Debelius, 1997
Feeding habit	selective plankton feeding
Feeding habit Ref.	Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	Original sample		Unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items	3.40	0.45			Tentative trophic level derived from 1 + troph of a single food item
Ref.

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