are deposited either into reef crevices or released just above the reef surface, where it rains 

 onto what can be viewed as a benthic wall-to-wall carpet of mouths. I have observed 

 particles of cardinal fish feces being consumed by Agaricia agaricites and by other fish. 

 Fish feces contain a lot of mucus, and I 



believe that fish fecal material is the source of much of the "organic-aggregate" material 

 reported from reef waters. Fecal particles that are eaten form a direct link in nutrient 

 recycling. They are an important nutritional source for corals and other sessile 

 invertebrates that previously has not been taken into account when considering questions of 

 food availability. Regenerated nutrients outwelling from reef interstices form an indirect 

 link in nutrient recycling on the reef, possibly a critical one in maintaining the high rates of 

 reef productivity. 



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