2.2. Effect of bleached coral on juvenile growth
To determine whether inhabiting and feeding on bleached coral
tissue affects the growth rates of recently settled juvenile corallivores
(C. lunulatus and C. aureofasciatus), an aquarium based
growth experiment was undertaken. Two coral species
(A. spathulata and P. damicornis) were used, both of which are
commonly used as settlement habitat of juvenile butterflyfishes
(Cole and Pratchett, 2011). All corals were collected from the same
location (on the eastern side of Lizard Island) and habitat (4e5 m
depth on the exposed flanks of individual patch reefs), and only
those coral that were physically intact (no missing branches) were
used. A fully factorial experimental design was undertaken with 8
replicates for each combination of coral species and condition
(bleached versus healthy). In each tank, a minimum of 100 cm2 of
live coral was provided and regularly checked to ensure it remained
in a healthy state for the duration of the experiment. Fresh corals
were added to each tank weekly, which ensured that there was
always a surplus of coral tissue available. Corals did not show any
observable signs of stress during the experiment.