COMPARATIVE BEHAVIOR OF 2 SPECIES OF LEPADOGASTER (PISCES, GOBIESOCIDAE) LIVING AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS

The two clingfish species studied occupied similar habitats but occurr ed at different depths. When compared with the subtidal species Lepado gaster candollei, the intertidal species Lepanogaster l. purpurea was less active, spent more time in shelters, visited fewer shelters, show ed more site fidelity, and spent less time swimming. Feeding, swimming , and agonistic behaviours were performed mainly in close contact with the substrate in this species. It is hypothesized that these contrast s in behaviour may have evolved under different levels of turbulence. (C) 1998 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.