The effects of natural disturbances, reef state, and herbivorous fish densities on ciguatera poisoning in Rarotonga, southern Cook Islands

► We examined the effects of reef state and herbivorous fish densities on ciguatera. ► Coral cover was not a good predictor of the intensity of ciguatera poisoning. ► Ctenochaetus striatus densities and reef disturbances were strong predictors. ► The two were correlated as fish densities increased after cyclones disturbed reefs.