Chemical and physical defenses of Singapore gorgonians (Octocorallia: Gorgonacea)

Gorgonians are abundant in tropical waters and their polyps are seldom predated on. This study investigates how gorgonians defend themselves chemically and physically against fish predation. Gorgonian extracts and sclerites were incorporated into fish feed and tested on reef fishes. Laboratory bioassays using Greyhead wrasses, Halichoeres purpurescens, as well as field bioassays showed five gorgonian species from the family Ellisellidae and three from the family Plexauridae collected from Singapore reefs to be deterrent towards fishes. Bioassays of fractions obtained from subsequent fractionation suggested synergistic or additive effects between compounds present in gorgonians. Sclerites incorporated into fish feed in their natural concentrations were also tested for fish deterrence and were positive for only two gorgonian species from the family Ellisellidae.