Two reef colonization events by larval acanthurids were observed at Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific. In one event, p e l a g~c larvae of Ctenochaetus stl-lgosus were observed swimming in groups along the bottom of a reef channel and actively settling to caves and crevices. These larvae were swimming against a current that averaged 27 cm s-' at a height of 1.5 m above the substrate. This observation confirms the importance of larval swimming abilities during colonization of some reef fishes and

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... ndicates a potent~al undersampling of larvae by passive plankton nets. Predation occurred on these incoming larvae by 8 piscivorous species, while no predation was observed during the second colonization event. KEY WORDS: Coral reef Colonizat~on . Recruitment Reef fish larvae . Swimming behavior C t e~~o c h a e t u s strigosus 0 Inter-Research 1997 Resale of full article not permitted