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Common coral reef fishes of Andros Island

Biodiversity:

Common coral reef fishes of Andros Island

This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Introduction 

Andros Island is an island in the Bahamas in the West Indies. Over 300 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Andros Island.

25 most common species in Andros Island

The following ranking is based on the results of 2691  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2591 hours and 51 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 4, 2009).  The species are ranked by the percentage of surveys in which a species was observed.  Abundance of fishes in REEF Fish Surveys are estimated using the following categories: 1- single =1 individual, 2-few = 2- 10 individuals, 3-many = 11-100 individuals, and 4-abundant > 100 individuals.  The mean numeric abundance (ranging from 1 - 4) was calculated for each species..  The mean abundance category is determined as follows: mean abundance category 0 - 1.49 = single, 1.50 - 1.99 = single-few, 2.0 - 2.49 = few, 2.5 - 2.99 = few-many, 3.0 - 3.49 = many, 3.5 -3.99 = many-abundant, and 4.0 = abundant.

Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish  and species with the highest mean abundance in Andros Island.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish  and species with the highest mean abundance in Andros Island.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Species

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Bluehead

 90.7

 many

 2. Blue tang

 82.8

 few-many

 3. Stoplight parrotfish

 75.9

 few-many

 4. Ocean surgeonfish

 68.6

 few-many

 5. Foureye butterflyfish

 67.5

 few

 6. Fairy basslet

 63.2

 few

 7. Doctorfish

 62.4

 few

 8. Yellowtail snapper

 61.2

 few

 9. Princess parrotfish

 58.5

 few

 10. Bar jack

 57.5

 few

 11. Blue chromis

 56.9

 few-many

 12. Slippery dick

 56.0

 few-many

 13. French grunt

 54.2

 few

 14. Yellowhead wrasse

 53.5

 few-many

 15. Bluestriped grunt

 53.4

 few

 16. Banded butterflyfish

 52.7

 few

 17. [[Redband parrotfish]

 51.2

 few

 18. Spotted goatfish

 50.05

 single-few

 19. Schoolmaster

 50.0

 few

 20. Sergeant major

 49.2

 many

 21.  Rock beauty

 48.8

 single-few

 22.  White grunt

 48.2

 few

 23. Beaugregory 

 47.6

 few

 24. Striped parrotfish

 46.6

 few-many

 25.  Bicolor damselfish

 45.9

 few-many

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Andros Island". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth October 7, 2009; Last revised Date September 20, 2010; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Andros_Island?topic=49480>

The Author

Mark McGinleyMark McGinley is an Associate Professor in the Honors College and Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University. He has conducted research in the evolutionary, behavioral, and community ecology of animals and plants. Dr. McGinley’s recent scholarly interests focus on educating the general public about scientific (particularly environmental) issues. He is currently working closely with students in an interdisciplinary degree program, Natural History and Humanities, which combine ... (Full Bio)

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