the term "spawning aggregation" has been used to describe the behavior of fishes of at least nine families, but studies have largely been limited to descriptive accounts. many studies, reviewed herein, have called "spawning aggregations" any gathering of fish in reproductively active condition, homever, in strict terms such gatherings may not necessarily be the vehicle for spawning. Aggregations have received attention mostly because 1 they are visually striking, often spectacular interruptions of the daily life on the reef and 2 many commercially important species aggregate to spawn. spawning aggregation research has been limited because such work is seldom easy. they are often ephemeral events occurring in remote locations, often in difficult weather conditions and, where accessible, have been eliminated or reduced by fishing pressure.