Habitat Enrichment Causes Changes in Fish Behavioural Characteristics: A Case Study of <i>Sparus latus</i>

Abstract

To better understand the habitat preferences and behavioural ecology of Sparus latus, we performed an experiment using box-shaped reefs as habitat enrichment materials, allowing us to determine the behavioural strategies and drivers involved in the response to different enrichment structures. The results showed that the first contact time of S. latus was negatively correlated (Pearson’s correlation, p S. latus, and there was a significant difference in the average distribution rate between the control and treatment groups (Adonis, p R2 = 0.36) explained the distribution difference of S. latus better than the opening shape (Adonis, R2 = 0.12). In the absence of an enrichment structure, S. latus remained more active during the daytime, exhibiting poor clustering, while in the presence of an enrichment structure, S. latus exhibited clustered movement at night. The opening ratio was negatively correlated with the average interindividual distance (Spearman’s correlation, p p S. latus. The light intensity was negatively correlated with the average distance moved, and the average speed (Spearman’s correlation, p p S. latus. These results provide a research basis for analysing the pattern and process of fish proliferation induced by artificial reef habitats.

Keywords

• habitat enrichment
• behavioural characteristics
• artificial reefs
• <i>Sparus latus</i>