Climate change may be forcing fish to find new homes. A new study shows that depending on where the fish disperse from, the use of “stepping stones”, flotsam or simply being an adult can help in the journey.

Conducting their study across two major Atlantic marine barriers, the researchers identified success predictors that include: • an ability to raft with flotsam; as seen in the Mid-Atlantic Barrier • using non-reef habitats as ‘stepping-stones'; seen in the Amazon-Orinoco Plume • large adult size and latitudinal range.

The research raises questions about dispersing fish larvae – it may not be as important as previously thought.