This study describes the structure and seasonal dynamics of the reef fish assemblages that inhabit the Nuevo and San José gulfs of the Argentine coast. It analyzes relationships between the structure of the assemblage and several habitat variables, with emphasis on shelter availability and refuge characteristics. The diets and feeding strategies of the most conspicuous fish species are described and their impact on the density of one of their preys is evaluated. The northern Patagonian gulfs are in a temperate region (41° – 43° Lat. S) and are characterized by large extensions of sandy bottoms scattered by patches of rocky outcrops that form reefs. The fish assemblage associated to these reefs is low in species richness and has components of the...
