Changing otolith/fish size ratios during settlement in two tropical damselfishes

Abstract

Otolith-fish size (O-L) relationships were analysed in recruits of two damselfish species (Chrysiptera rollandi and Pomacentrus amboinensis) before and after cohorts had settled onto reefs surrounding Lizard Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Unexpectedly, O was found to be unrelated to L in pre-settlers of both species. Settlers sampled only 12-15 days later, however, exhibited the expected isometric O-L relationship. This intriguingly rapid change-due to either variable growth, selective mortality or a combination of both-renders otolith increment widths inconsistent proxies for daily somatic growth rates in the pre- versus post-settlement stages of these pomacentrids. © 2011 Springer-Verlag and AWI.