Because collecting specimens of fishes was not allowed for this 

 study, the data gathered by Randall C1967) on stomach contents is 

 especially valuable. 



Pomocentridae, The Damselfishes 



These small, usually highly territorial, often aggressive fishes 

 are among the most common and conspicuous reef residents. At least 

 ten species occur in the Caribbean. Nearly every large rock and 

 coral head of the reefs in Lameshur Bay supports a complement of 

 damselfishes. Active by day, they typically retreat to a well- 

 guarded crevice from which they emerge at dawn. Most damsel- 

 fishes are omnivorous, with plants locally present usually 

 nibbled throughout the daylight hours, but within the family, 

 food habits range from characteristically herbivorous for the 

 night sergeant, Abudef duf taurus , to a diet totally consisting of 

 zooplankton for two species of Chromis . During feeding trials , no 

 pomocentrids left their territory to sample algae brought from the 

 plain to the reef . 



Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus). Sergeant major 



These species were seen occasionally in groups on the reef in 

 depths to five meters but were more common in Little Lameshur 

 Bay near docks in shallow water. The stomach contents of 35 

 specimens by Randall (1967) included 8.8% algae of 13 species, 

 nearly all fine or filamentous forms. Contents of three specimens 

 examined by Longley and Hildebrand (1941) contained mostly algae, 

 and Randall (1967) states that in areas of high algal cover, A. 

 saxatilis may be found with up to 100% algae in their stomach. 

 Elsewhere, diet varies, sometimes including mostly invertebrates, 

 suggesting that this species will feed fortuitously on whatever 

 is handy. 



Abudefduf taurus (Muller and Troschel) . Night sergeant 



Night sergeants were occasionally seen in shallow reef areas, 3.5 m 

 depth, but were not noted elsewhere. They are primarily herbivorous. 

 Stomach contents of 17 specimens examined by Randall (1967) included 

 94.0% algae of 32 species plus diatoms. Most of the plants consumed 

 were filamentous, but included 1 calcareous, 4 leafy, and 8 fleshy 

 species. 



Eupomocentrus fuscus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Dusky Damselfish 



This rather nondescript species was frequently observed on the reef 

 in 5 to 18 m depth, sometimes grazing on filamentous algae nearby, 

 but usually simply hovering. Randall (1967) indicates a wide range 

 of food for E^. fuscus , but with more algae and detritus than 

 animal material. Of 51 specimens examined, 56.2% of the stomach 



VI-145 



