Do Tiny Fish Keep Coral Reefs Alive? | Chris Goatley | TEDxParramatta

How do reefs support such a wealth of life when they grow in what are essentially ‘marine deserts’? It seems that a group of tiny fish may hold the answer. These tiny fish, referred to by scientists as cryptobenthic reef fishes, or simply “cryptos,” are highly abundant on coral reefs but only live for a few months before they are eaten by predators. So how come their populations don’t collapse? Chris Goatley will explore some of the reasons and show that these little fish punch well above their weight when it comes to keeping reefs alive. Chris Goatley is a marine biologist and postdoctoral researcher. He is interested in the biodiversity of coral reefs, especially the important roles of fish in maintaining reef health. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Do Tiny Fish Keep Coral Reefs Alive? | Chris Goatley | TEDxParramatta