Qualitative Assessments of Reef Fish Development

Investigations on the relationships between nutritional status, developmental history and the condition of fish in terms of body composition Marine Biology hormone levels and morphometrics.

Studies have used experimental feeding regimes to determine the relationships between nutrient intake and proportions of protein, lipids and carbohydrates in body tissues. This information has been used to interpret estimates of condition and body composition obtained from newly settled reef fishes.

The initial findings suggest high levels of variation in condition of settling reef fishes. The next phase of this project is to determine the extent to which these differences influence subsequent patterns of growth and mortality.

On-going Research Programs:

• Influence of larval growth history on post-settlement growth in reef fishes: Dr Mark McCormick.

• Mechanistic perspective of metamorphosis in reef fishes: Dr Mark McCormick.