Coral Reefs:Common coral reef fishes of Antigua
Published: October 7, 2009, 6:21 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:32 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Antigua is a part of the nation Antigua and Barbuda in the Lesser Antillies of the Caribbean Sea. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Antigua.
25 most common species in Antigua
The following ranking is based on the results of 32 surveys covering a bottom time of 25 hours and 52 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 27, 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in Antigua. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Antigua. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 100.0 | few-many |
2. Bluehead | 90.6 | many |
3. Stoplight parrotfish | 87.5 | few-many |
4.Yellowtail damselfish | 81.3 | few |
5. Foureye butterflyfish | 81.3 | few-many |
6. Yellowtail snapper | 78.1 | few-many |
7. Sergeant major | 78.1 | few-many |
8. Graysby | 78.1 | few |
9. French grunt | 75.0 | few-many |
10. Spanish hogfish | 75.0 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 75.0 | few-many |
12. Blue chromis | 71.9 | few-many |
13. Bicolor damselfish | 71.9 | many |
14. Banded butterflyfish | 68.8 | single-few |
15. Ocean surgeonfish | 68.8 | many |
16. Rock beauty | 65.6 | single-few |
17. Black durgon | 65.6 | few-many |
18. Redband parrotfish | 65.6 | few-many |
19. Princess parrotfish | 65.6 | few |
20. Trumpetfish | 65.6 | few |
21. Slippery dick | 62.5 | few-many |
22. Coney | 62.5 | few |
23. Yellow goatfish | 59.4 | many |
24. Brown chromis | 59.4 | many |
25. Spotted goatfish | 59.4 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Antigua". 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 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Antigua?topic=49570>
The Author
Mark 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)
Introduction
Antigua is a part of the nation Antigua and Barbuda in the Lesser Antillies of the Caribbean Sea. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Antigua.
25 most common species in Antigua
The following ranking is based on the results of 32 surveys covering a bottom time of 25 hours and 52 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 27, 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.
Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in Antigua. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Antigua. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 100.0 | few-many |
2. Bluehead | 90.6 | many |
3. Stoplight parrotfish | 87.5 | few-many |
4.Yellowtail damselfish | 81.3 | few |
5. Foureye butterflyfish | 81.3 | few-many |
6. Yellowtail snapper | 78.1 | few-many |
7. Sergeant major | 78.1 | few-many |
8. Graysby | 78.1 | few |
9. French grunt | 75.0 | few-many |
10. Spanish hogfish | 75.0 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 75.0 | few-many |
12. Blue chromis | 71.9 | few-many |
13. Bicolor damselfish | 71.9 | many |
14. Banded butterflyfish | 68.8 | single-few |
15. Ocean surgeonfish | 68.8 | many |
16. Rock beauty | 65.6 | single-few |
17. Black durgon | 65.6 | few-many |
18. Redband parrotfish | 65.6 | few-many |
19. Princess parrotfish | 65.6 | few |
20. Trumpetfish | 65.6 | few |
21. Slippery dick | 62.5 | few-many |
22. Coney | 62.5 | few |
23. Yellow goatfish | 59.4 | many |
24. Brown chromis | 59.4 | many |
25. Spotted goatfish | 59.4 | few |
References and Further Reading
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