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Amazing Creatures- Damsel fish

Damsel fish are characterized as being territorial; they are even called the “farmers of the sea” as a result of their territorial behavior and the manner in which they manage their food supply. As the main food item for the damsel fish is algae* which grows attached to the hard reef substrate, they do not require energy to hunt for food, but rather expend their energy defending a well-defined territory. Damsel fish normally choose areas of the reef where their preferred algae species exists and defend this area bravely against any other algae feeding organism. Damsel fish will take good care of their “farm” by not only removing other, unwanted, algae species thus giving space for their preferred algae to grow, but also by feeding on their preferred algae in a controlled way, so it maintains a fixed growth rate. If the damsel fish is not lucky enough to find its preferred algae species within its area, itwill search the reef, bring small pieces of the preferred algae and “plant” it on its own territory. Even though the damsel fish is quite small in size, it is very aggressive when it comes to defending its territory. The size of larger attacking fish is not a deterrent, so do not be surprised when you see small damsels biting your fin or giving you an intimidating look to scare you away from their territory. In the reproductive season the female will choose the male according to the size, location and productivity of his farm (nest). Therefore, the farm that is bigger in size and has more algae around will be more attractive for the females. The location of the farm on the reef is also important for the female, as they usually prefer sheltered areas, such as crevices, to provide protection for their young. *There are different groups of algae inhabiting the reef area including green algae, brown algae, and red algae. The color difference between them is related to the pigments inside their tissues. Each damsel fish species has a preferred species of algae to feed on.