A butterflyfish, Chaetodon rainfordi, feeding on coral polyps. Coral reefs are both a museum and a cradle for reef fishes. Association with coral reefs has provided fishes with both a stimulus for diversification, and a potential refuge in a time of high extinction. Photos courtesy of João Paulo Krajewski.

The red-breasted Maori-wrasse, Cheilinus fasciatus. Like the butterflyfishes and damselfishes, wrasses have evolved in the presence of coral reefs. The close relationship between corals and fishes has stimulated the speciation of reef fishes and provided them with a sanctuary in difficult times.Photo courtesy of João Paulo Krajewski.

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