Ecology of Thalassoma bifasciatum
 
Main Ref. Bardach, J.E., 1959
Remarks Inhabits reef areas, inshore bays and seagrass beds. Feeds mainly on zooplankton and small benthic animals, but may also feed on ectoparasites of other fishes (Ref. 9626). Feeds on planktonic and benthic invertebrates (Ref. 33). Planktivore (Ref. 57616). Dwells in seagrass habitats in Belize. Forms facultative associations with sea anemones (Ref. 128695).

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 Thalassoma bifasciatum may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Brooker, R.M., W.E. Feeney, T.L. Sih, M.C.O. Ferrari and D.P. Chivers, 2019

Associations

Ref. Brooker, R.M., W.E. Feeney, T.L. Sih, M.C.O. Ferrari and D.P. Chivers, 2019
Associations
Associated with Condylactis gigantea; Lebrunia neglecta.
Association remarks May also feed on ectoparasites of other fishes (Ref. 9626). In contact with the tentacles and oral disc of Condylactis gigantea and Lebrunia neglecta (Ref. 128695).
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Feeding habit selective plankton feeding
Feeding habit Ref. Dominici-Arosemena, A. and M. Wolff, 2005
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.30 0.14 3.37 0.45 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 3.49 0.42 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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