[Coral-List] [SPAM] Looking for information about the association between groupers and sweepers (Michael Arvedlund)

[Charles Delbeek]

Bruce Carlson wrote:
> Michael,
>
> The grouper that you see in association with the Parapriacanthus  
> sweepers is Aethaloperca rogaa.  I was searching for sweepers for an  
> exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium and used sightings of the grouper to  
> direct my attention to locations where the sweepers might be found.   
> However, I also found that this grouper is not always found with  
> sweepers so if there is an association of some sort it is not  
> obligatory.  Another possibility is that the grouper is specialized  
> in some way to feed upon Parapriacanthus or similar fishes.
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
> On Dec 10, 2007, at 11:24 AM, coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov  
> wrote:
>
>   
>> Looking for information about the association between
>>       groupers and sweepers (Michael Arvedlund)
>>     
>
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> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
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>   
By staying under the overhang the grouper also is sheltered and the 
school of fish around it would also help conceal it from potential prey 
or predators. Or it could just be that both species just happen to use 
the same sheltered habitat during the day and they have no association 
beyond that.

Aloha!

-- 
J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc.
Aquarium Biologist III
Waikiki Aquarium
University of Hawaii
2777 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI, 96815

(808) 923-9741 VOICE
(808) 923-1771 FAX