Abstract
Laboratory experiment was carried out to know the function of artificial reefs as a protector of small prey fish against predators. Time sequence of survival rate of prey fish were examined in 6 different sets of predator-prey combination.
Depending upon 32 observations, SurVival rate in prey fish increased due to the presence of reefs, especially the reefs of more complex structure. The survival rate of prey fish varied with the reef-affinity in both prey and predator fish and also with the feeding behavior of predator fish. Higher survival rate was observed in prey fish that have higher reef-affinity. These results suggest that artificial reefs play an imporant role in creation of nursery through their function protecting smaller prey fish against larger predator fish.
