Movement, habitat utilization and behaviour of coral trout Plectropomus leopardus during and after the reproductive period on the southern Great Barrier Reef

Coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (mean total length = 498.9 +/- 19.7 mm, n = 10) were tagged and tracked with ultrasonic transmitters over 81 d at an intra-lagoonal location at One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia (23.4979 degrees S, 152.0712 degrees E). Movement and habitat preferences were compared during the transition between the reproductive and post-reproductive period. Overall, mean movement was highest between 05: 00 and 10: 00 h, with the most movement during the crepuscular period and the least movement at night. There was no difference in nighttime movement during or after the reproductive period. Mean daily movement (14.48 +/- 0.26 km d(-1)) and fish depths (4.23 +/- 0.02 m) during the post-reproductive period were significantly greater than both movement (10.63 +/- 0.13 km d(-1)) and depths occupied (3.38 +/- 0.01 m) during the reproductive period, which was likely related to reallocation of bioenergetic resources to foraging related activities rather than spawning. Most fish movement was localized (within 0.04 km(2)), with some movements recorded outside of this area to a maximum distance of 0.6 km. Fish traversed sand and small scattered coral out-croppings to reach areas of continuous reef. The ranges of movement and habitat preferences described in this study are important for future research on habitat requirements and behavioural changes across the transition period between reproductive and post-reproductive states. Furthermore, this study provides additional information that may be used for focusing and delineating species-specific Marine Protected Area management plans.