Do grazing angels/parrots/b'flyfish stimulate corals in the wild?

[Sk8r]

Noting how vigorously some corals rebound to repair after a fragging, I got to wondering how certain grazing fish that coral-nip actually fit into a wild community, and this led to the speculation that because these animals nip and move on, the net effect might be to stimulate coral growth. Particularly useful, if the instinct [as with chickens] is to peck at the anomaly, not the regularlity.
Anybody?

 

[Amphiprion]

Interesting idea. It stands to reason, as in any ecosystem, that some degree of destruction is a healthy thing, indeed. The grazing habits of various fishes may actually slow the growth of some corals, thus allowing others to proliferate. In some cases, predation may be specific or generalized, so it all varies. In my head, I visualize it as similar to the 'healthy' number of fires in a forest to thin it out for improved health. We do the same in our own aquaria. I have no clue as to how much truth is involved in this, but it is certainly something to think about.

 

[Kent E]

I don't think fragging stimulates anything. If part of the coral rips off more growth has to take its place.