Communication and camouflage with the same 'bright' colours in reef fishes

Reef fishes present the observer with the most diverse and stunning assembl age of animal colours anywhere on earth. The functions of some of these col ours and their combinations are examined using new non-subjective spectroph otometer ic measurements of the colours of fishes and their habitat. Conclu sions reached are as follows: (i) the spectra of colours in high spatial fr equency patterns are often well designed to be very conspicuous to a colour vision system at close range but well camouflaged at a distance; (ii) blue and yellow the most frequently used colours in reef fishes, may be good fo r camouflage or communication depending on the background they are viewed a gainst; and (iii) reef fishes use a combination of colour and behaviour to regulate their conspicuousness and crypsis.