Wax in coral mucus: Energy transfer from corals to reef fishes1

Abstract

Mucus from a variety of reef corals has been found to contain wax ester (cetyl palmitate) and triglycerides. Observation revealed extensive mucus feeding by many species of reef fishes. When coral mucus is artificially dispersed fish assemble and avidly ingest it. Coral mucus could be an energy source linking the coral producer and small fish consumers in reef communities.