Ontogenetic variation in site fidelity and homing behaviour of a temperate reef fish

► We use translocations of tagged fish to study homing behaviour of three distinct age classes. ► Adults of the common triplefin return to a home site when displaced up 200 m. ► Recently settled individuals of the common triplefin do not move when displaced. ► Juvenile stages of the common triplefin move little when displaced. ► Results suggest site fidelity and homing behaviour vary with ontogeny.