Social behavior and ecology of two sympatric wrasses (Labridae: Halichoeres spp.) off the coast of Florida

The social behavior and ecology of two wrasses common off the coast of Florida (USA), Halichoeres maculipinna and H. garnoti, were studied from late 1975 to mid-1977. Individuals were tagged by means of subcutaneous injection of colored dyes, and the behavior and movements of such tagged fish were noted for as long as 7 months. H. maculipinna appear to be harem-forming, with large and colorful dominant males vigorously defending year-round territories occupied by several subordinate, non-spawning males and several dozen initial-phase fish, most of which are females. The initial-phase fish roam in large, heterospecific feeding aggregates, with each herd remaining in a relatively small joint home range. In contrast, both large colorful and small initial-phase H. garnoti roam as individuals and maintain large, broadly overlapping home ranges. Spawning is apparently promiscuous. Differences in the social systems of the two species appear to reflect differences in their diets and the distribution of food for each on the reef. The behaviors of H. maculipinna and H. garnoti are also compared with those of other studied labrids, with respect to the roles of (1) subordinate males, (2) male-specific color patterns, and (3) factors affecting the success of primary males.