Ecology Summary - Ostracion cubicum

Language:

Main Ref.	Myers, R.F., 1991
Remarks	Dwells in tidal pools, sheltered bays and estuaries. Intolerant of fluctuating salinities. Feeds on epiphytic organisms. Preyed upon by larger fishes, particularly large carangids (Ref. 9773). Lives in isolation. Dwells in rocky substrates or coral reefs (Ref. 127989). Inhabits lagoon and semi-sheltered seaward reefs. Juveniles often among Acropora corals (Ref. 9710). Solitary (Ref. 5503). Juveniles expatriating to subtropical zone from the pelagic larval stage. Small juveniles secretive in narrow crevices (Ref. 48637). Feeds primarily on algae with a compliment of microorganisms, invertebrates, mollusks, sponges (Refs. 1602, 5503, 127989), sand dwelling polychaetes, crustaceans, foraminiferans, and fishes (Ref. 37816). Juveniles prefer the shelter of corals or rocks; adults range further out in the open and seem to prefer the shelter of ledges and crevices near sand.

Main Ref.

Myers, R.F., 1991

Remarks

Dwells in tidal pools, sheltered bays and estuaries. Intolerant of fluctuating salinities. Feeds on epiphytic organisms. Preyed upon by larger fishes, particularly large carangids (Ref. 9773). Lives in isolation. Dwells in rocky substrates or coral reefs (Ref. 127989). Inhabits lagoon and semi-sheltered seaward reefs. Juveniles often among Acropora corals (Ref. 9710). Solitary (Ref. 5503). Juveniles expatriating to subtropical zone from the pelagic larval stage. Small juveniles secretive in narrow crevices (Ref. 48637). Feeds primarily on algae with a compliment of microorganisms, invertebrates, mollusks, sponges (Refs. 1602, 5503, 127989), sand dwelling polychaetes, crustaceans, foraminiferans, and fishes (Ref. 37816). Juveniles prefer the shelter of corals or rocks; adults range further out in the open and seem to prefer the shelter of ledges and crevices near sand.

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 Ostracion cubicum may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	Benthic; Soft Bottom: sand; mud; 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.	Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type	mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref.	Myers, R.F., 1991
Feeding habit	variable
Feeding habit Ref.	Myers, R.F., 1991

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	Original sample		Unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items	3.26	0.35			Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.

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