Here we report two types of skeletal deformities, ‘pughead’ and ‘short-tail’, observed for the first time in the adult Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara). Photographic documentation of these deformities was made for only three individuals during our studies of their spawning aggregations. ‘Pugheadedness’ was documented in Brazil and Florida, and the ‘short-tail’ deformity was documented only in Brazil. Skeletal deformities are rare, have very low frequencies in wild populations and appear to be initiated during early development. There was no apparent effect of the condition on the adult goliath grouper, as they appeared robust and healthy.

Little is known about spawning aggregations in subtidal populations of the nudibranch Onchidoris bilamellata. We provide photographic evidence of the spawning aggregations and associated spawning migrations or mass movements whose occurrence was debated.

This research investigates a status assessment approach for remnant lake salmonin populations, using the lake charr (Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum) of Crean Lake (105 km2) as an example. A mark-recapture program was implemented employing small-mesh gill nets to ensnare charr by the teeth at spawning. Prior to sampling, potential spawning sites were designated primary or secondary based on habitat. Most charr were caught on three primary reefs, with some spawners moving between reefs. The spawning period peaked at day 2, enhancing spawning synchrony, and lasted up to 10 days. Results produced very low sampling mortality (5.7%), consistent estimates of the number of spawning charr ( $\sim $ 60 y−1) and a very low (<2000) estimate of the total number of mature charr in Crean Lake. The approach offers an effective means of assessing remnant salmonins with minimal impact on their populations.