Coral-eating fish feces may benefit reefs as 'probiotics'.
Feces from corallivore fish, which eat coral, may contain beneficial microbes that help coral thrive, according to a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science. By contrast, feces from grazers, which consume algae and detritus, may contain coral pathogens that leave large lesions on coral. The research suggests that corallivores may be contributing to important processes that promote coral reef health, and highlights the need for further research to understand how fish feces affect corals and how they can be used in management efforts to support coral reef health.