Coral cover has declined globally as threats to coral reefs continue to amplify. Reef restoration activities are increasingly used as solutions to assist and accelerate reef recovery. However, corallivorous fishes, such as parrotfishes (Labridae) and triggerfishes (Balistidae), can have detrimental impacts on restoration efforts. Moreover, pressure from corallivores on existing coral may increase as reef degradation continues. How novel food sources effect corallivore feeding behaviour has yet to be quantified. We tested the potential novelty effect of outplanting three coral species on Heron Reef. Of the 270 coral fragments outplanted, only one fragment endured predation and none suffered predator induced mortality. In contrast, field surveys showed a greater proportion of bite scars on existing coral coupled with the presence of triggerfishes and parrotfishes in the area. The lack of predation observed on outplants was likely due to the high level of existing coral cover, as well as a lower population of obligate corallivores, when compared to other reefs globally where corallivores compromise fragment outplant success. We detected no novelty effects of outplanting coral fragments in a reef with high coral cover, highlighting the need to assess corallivore feeding pressure across broader coral cover gradients to detect thresholds for restoration success.