We examined reef fish assemblages in and adjacent to a newly established coral bed (subtropical Pocillopora aliciae ) in temperate south-eastern Australia, to understand whether novel coral habitat is facilitating assemblages of range-expanding tropical and local temperate fishes. This is the first comprehensive assessment of fish species associating with this novel coral habitat within a temperate environment. Twenty fish spe...

Climate change is driving tropicalisation of temperate reefs, yet it is unclear how range‐shifting tropical fishes locate suitable habitat. The authors tested whether juvenile tropical damsels Dascyllus trimaculatus could detect rare coral habitat ( Pocillopora aliciae ) and conspecifics on temperate rocky reefs using olfactory and visual preference experiments. For all cues, individuals selected and spent more time than expec...

Habitat associations can be critical predictors of larger‐scale organism distributions and range shifts. Here the authors consider how a critical habitat, kelp ( Ecklonia radiata ) and prey (mysid crustacean swarms), can influence small‐ and large‐scale distribution on the iconic common (weedy) seadragon ( Phyllopteryx taeniolatus :Syngnathidae). P. taeniolatus are charismatic fish endemic to the temperate reefs of southern Au...

The weedy seadragon ( Phyllopteryx taeniolatus : Syngnathidae) is an iconic fish endemic to the southern coastal waters of Australia. The authors of this study analysed the habitat preferences and factors influencing microhabitat selection by P. taeniolatus in a population from Kurnell, NSW, Australia. Using field surveys and the resource selection probability function, the authors determined that P. taeniolatus significantly...