This Goat Is a Hero

"Classified as a “nuclear” species, goatfish truly play a leadership role. Other species are attracted to the substratum-disturbing foraging. And when several goatfish are involved in the fray, the groupies increase in number and diversity.

Single goatfish usually have up to three “follower” species at a time. Goatfish groups attract up to six follower species. These are primarily benthic carnivores. When critical mass is reached, the crowd includes herbivores that swoop in for the algae pre...