Wildlife

Aggressive Fish

Hungry fish living among reefs that suffer from mass coral bleaching are more frequently getting into fights over food, which could threaten their survival. Researchers from Britain's Lancaster University made the discovery after observing 38 species of butterflyfish, which are especially vulnerable to bleaching since they eat the coral.

When a butterflyfish wants to signal to a competitor that a particular bit of coral is theirs, they point their noses down and raise their spiny dorsal fins. But when the confrontation doesn't resolve the dispute, one fish will chase the other until one gives up. With less food due to coral bleaching, they are forced to expend precious energy during far more chases over food.