Barrier Reef wildlife given basic sustenance at last (5)
I believe the answer is:
fence
'barrier' is the definition.
(fence is a kind of barrier)
'reef wildlife given basic sustenance at last' is the wordplay.
'at last' suggests the final letters.
The final letters of 'reef wildlife given basic sustenance' are 'FENCE'.
(Other definitions for fence that I've seen before include "With blade, fight" , "Thief's dealer" , "Barrier - engage in swordplay" , "Fight with sword - barrier" , "Beat about the bush" .)