Populations of reef fish are widely believed to be limited by availability of larvalrecruits, not by density dependent processes operating during and after settlement ofyoung stages in the reef environment. Our research explores and challenges thisthinking. We are utilizing field observations and experiments to determine what factorsaffect spatial distribution, abundance, and population dynamics of four reef-dwellingdamselfish in the Family Pomacentridae: three-spot humbug (Dascyllus trimaculatus),yellow-tail humbug (D. flavicaudus), banded humbug (D. aruanus), and orange-finanemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus). In related research, we explore therelationships between structural reef habitat (types and sizes of corals and other reefsubstrates) and the abundance and diversity of local assemblages of lagoon fish, andwhether depleted populations of reef fish can be restored by attraction of larval stagesto reef environments using lights at night. More recently, we have begun to examine indetail the species interactions that occur among species of fish that co-occur onanemones, corals and on patch reefs, their interactions with co-occurring invertebrates(such as crabs), and the costs and benefits to the anemones and corals of hostingvarious species.