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Butterflyfish social behaviour, with special reference to the incidence of territoriality: a review

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Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) are among the best studied of coral reef fishes. Feeding ecology and some aspects of behaviour have been firmly established. However, spacing behaviour remains controversial. Two major studies made in the 1970s concluded that the majority of species were not territorial. We suggest that these and other studies which have concluded that territories are not held have generally suffered from short observation periods, and have not mapped the ranges occupied by individuals. Further, low frequencies of agonistic behaviour have been interpreted as evidence of non-territoriality. By contrast, studies which have proven territoriality have had long observation periods and have mapped ranges. These have shown that territories are usually maintained with very little overt aggression. Spacing behaviour and feeding behaviour are clearly linked, with territoriality common among benthic-feeding species, especially obligate corallivores. Species with broad dietary flexibility tend to have flexible social systems, while plankton feeders are usually gregarious. The widespread occurrence of monogamy in butterflyfishes appears linked to territoriality, the majority of territorial species identified to date occurring predominantly as pairs. Data currently available suggest that this is because pair defence of the territory is more efficient than by individuals. However, several alternative hypotheses for the evolution of monogamy based on spawning constraints and predation risk cannot yet be ruled out.

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  1. Callum M. Roberts

    Present address: Centre for Tropical Coastal Management Studies, Department of Biology, The University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

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  1. Tropical Marine Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of York, York, Y01 5DD, UK

    Callum M. Roberts & Rupert F. G. Ormond

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Roberts, C.M., Ormond, R.F.G. Butterflyfish social behaviour, with special reference to the incidence of territoriality: a review. Environ Biol Fish 34, 79–93 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004786

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