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Cryptic fish assemblages on temperate rocky reefs in New Zealand are among the most diverse in the world, yet very little is known regarding ecological processes that may affect their density and diversity. The potential effects of reef structural complexity, kelp density, and the increased density of predatory fish on assemblages of small, cryptic reef fishes were examined in northeastern New Zealand. Sampling was conducted in replicated areas inside and outside a marine reserve, where differential densities of predatory fishes were known to occur. There was a strong positive correlation between substratum complexity and the density and diversity of cryptic fish assemblages. While the more common fish species occurred in both kelp Ecklonia radiata forest habitat and rocky reefs grazed by urchins, the composition of less abundant species differed between these 2 habitats. Assemblages in kelp forests were more …