| 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). |
