Ecology Summary - Ctenochaetus striatus

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Main Ref.	Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Remarks	Inhabits reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of over 30 m. Occurs over coral, rock, pavement, or rubble substrates. May occur singly or in small to very large, often mixed-species aggregations (Ref. 48637). Feeds on surface film of blue-green algae and diatoms (making this species a key link in the ciguatera food chain) as well as on various small invertebrates. Detritus and sediment are main dietary components (Ref. 59111). Herbivorous (Ref. 43650). Estimates of assimilation efficiency indicate that C. striatus assimilates 20% of the total organic matter and 37% of the nitrogen from its sediment/detrital diet (Ref. 42770). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699:31; 120680:186,190); spawning takes place from morning to late afternoon and peaks in afternoon (Ref. 38697). During feeding, each bite is characterized by a wide gape as the mouth is applied to the substratum followed by a quick, upward flick of the lower jaw, with no sideways flick of the head (Ref. 59059). It appears that the numerous elongate flexible teeth, brush particulate and epiphytic materials from the surface of the turf algal strands and other substrata (Ref. 59059).

Main Ref.

Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984

Remarks

Inhabits reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of over 30 m. Occurs over coral, rock, pavement, or rubble substrates. May occur singly or in small to very large, often mixed-species aggregations (Ref. 48637). Feeds on surface film of blue-green algae and diatoms (making this species a key link in the ciguatera food chain) as well as on various small invertebrates. Detritus and sediment are main dietary components (Ref. 59111). Herbivorous (Ref. 43650). Estimates of assimilation efficiency indicate that C. striatus assimilates 20% of the total organic matter and 37% of the nitrogen from its sediment/detrital diet (Ref. 42770). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699:31; 120680:186,190); spawning takes place from morning to late afternoon and peaks in afternoon (Ref. 38697). During feeding, each bite is characterized by a wide gape as the mouth is applied to the substratum followed by a quick, upward flick of the lower jaw, with no sideways flick of the head (Ref. 59059). It appears that the numerous elongate flexible teeth, brush particulate and epiphytic materials from the surface of the turf algal strands and other substrata (Ref. 59059).

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 Ctenochaetus striatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref.	Letourneur, Y., P. Chabanet, P. Durville, M. Taquet, E. Teissier, M. Parmentier, J.-C. Quéro and K. Pothin, 2004
Special habitats	Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref.	Broad, G., 2003

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.	Purcell, S.W. and D.R. Bellwood, 1993

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	Original sample		Unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition	2.00	0.00	2.00	0.00	Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
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

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Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Habitat

Associations

Feeding