Researchers say more coral may not mean more fish on reefs. 

A new study suggests the link between fishes and corals may not be as strong as scientists had always assumed.

JCU PhD candidate Pooventhran Muruga has examined more than 4600 reports on the relationship between fishes and corals.

“Undeniably, coral reefs serve as a key habitat for reef fishes, providing both shelter and food. It is therefore no surprise that for more than four decades there has been a widespread consensus that reef fishes are associated with reef-building corals,” Mr Muruga says.

“But on closer inspection of the literature, we found a large variability within and across fishes and locations and globally there were only weak associations between fishes and corals.”

Co-author, Professor David Bellwood said the findings questioned assumptions regarding the strength and ubiquity of fish-coral associations.

“I would caution against assuming a direct and omnipresent relationship between the two,’’ Professor Bellwood said.

Mr Muruga said rather than a critical interdependence, fishes and corals may be two co-occurring entities within a much more complex ecosystem.

“The findings don’t downplay the importance of corals on reef but suggest there is more to the relationship,” Mr Muruga said.

“It emphasises the need to look beyond the simple paradigm of more coral equals more fish and acknowledge the complex processes that structure and maintain coral reef communities.”