Parrotfish are herbivores that are found in coral reefs. To escape predation, a parrotfish will graze with a rabbitfish, which has venomous spines at the end of its pelvic fins. The rabbitfish does not benefit from this relationship. Which type of relationship do the parrotfish and the rabbitfish have in the coral-reef environment?

Question

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Commensalism
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Predator–prey
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Parasitic
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Mutualistic

Answer 1

The relationship between the parrotfish and the rabbitfish in this scenario is best described as commensalism. In this type of relationship, one species benefits (the parrotfish, which gains protection from predation) while the other species (the rabbitfish) is not significantly affected.