Ecology of Scarus ghobban
 
Main Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Remarks Inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs (Refs. 1602, 9773), in slopes and drop-offs (Ref. 48636). Males common in atolls where they live mainly around the inner and outer edges of barrier reefs at depths of about 30 ft; females prefer deeper habitat (Ref. 4821). Small juveniles inshore on algae reef habitat. Enter silty, murky environments (Ref. 5490). Adults solitary (but may sometimes occur in small groups), juveniles in groups (Ref. 9710, 48636). Feed by scraping algae from rocks and corals (Refs. 5227, 129713). Roving herbivore (Refs. 43650, 57615, 127989, 9773). Protogynous hermaphrodite. Dwells in rocky substrates in shallow waters (Ref. 127989). Ventures into silty, murky environments - distinct from other scarids (Ref. 9773).

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 Scarus ghobban may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic; Soft Bottom: sand; silt; mud; Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref. Broad, G., 2003
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs: lagoons;
Special habitats Ref. Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Feeding habit browsing on substrate
Feeding habit Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 2.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 Troph of juv./adults from 2 studies.
From individual food items 2.00 0.00 Trophic level and s.e. inferred from exclusive plant/detritus food items.
Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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