Ecology of Hemigymnus melapterus
 
Main Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Remarks Occur inshore (Ref. 75154). Found in subtidal reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs. Juveniles found among branching corals while adults found in areas of mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). Feed mainly on small invertebrates, especially crustaceans, polychaete worms, molluscs and brittle stars (Ref. 9823). Diet changing from primarily demersal planktonic crustaceans to hard-shelled invertebrates with growth (Ref. 37816).

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 Hemigymnus melapterus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats 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. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Feeding habit variable
Feeding habit Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.34 0.48
From individual food items 3.55 0.45 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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