Common coral reef fishes of Aruba
Published: October 7, 2009, 6:17 pm
Updated: October 7, 2009, 6:17 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, north of Venzuela. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aruba.
25 most common species in Aruba
The following ranking is based on the results of 209 surveys covering a bottom time of 336 hours and 29 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.
Sergeant Major—the most frequently observed reef fish in Aruba.. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Sergeant major | 95.3 | many |
2. Bluehead | 92.6 | many |
3. Blue tang | 88.9 | few-many |
4. Foureye butterflyfish | 88.2 | few-many |
5. Bicolor damselfish | 89.7 | many-abundant |
6. French grunt | 86.5 | few-many |
7. Yellow goatfish | 86.5 | many |
8. Banded butterflyfish | 85.5 | few |
9. Yellowtail snapper | 82.8 | few-many |
10. Brown chromis | 82.2 | many-abundant |
11. Stoplight parrotfish | 82.2 | few-many |
12. Spotted goatfish | 81.1 | few-many |
13. Ocean surgeonfish | 80.1 | many |
14. Blue chromis | 77.1 | many |
15. French angelfish | 76.4 | single-few |
16. Yellowtail damselfish | 76.4 | few-many |
17. Smooth trunkfish | 75.4 | few |
18. Trumpetfish | 75.1 | few |
19. Spanish hogfish | 71.0 | few |
20. Schoolmaster | 69.7 | few-many |
21. Blackbar soldierfish | 69.7 | few-many |
22. Yellowhead wrasse | 69.4 | many |
23. Princess parrotfish | 65.0 | few-many |
24. Bluestriped grunt | 61.6 | few-many |
25. Sharpnose puffer | 60.9 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Aruba". 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 October 7, 2009; Retrieved May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Aruba>
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
Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, north of Venzuela. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aruba.
25 most common species in Aruba
The following ranking is based on the results of 209 surveys covering a bottom time of 336 hours and 29 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.
Sergeant Major—the most frequently observed reef fish in Aruba.. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Sergeant major | 95.3 | many |
2. Bluehead | 92.6 | many |
3. Blue tang | 88.9 | few-many |
4. Foureye butterflyfish | 88.2 | few-many |
5. Bicolor damselfish | 89.7 | many-abundant |
6. French grunt | 86.5 | few-many |
7. Yellow goatfish | 86.5 | many |
8. Banded butterflyfish | 85.5 | few |
9. Yellowtail snapper | 82.8 | few-many |
10. Brown chromis | 82.2 | many-abundant |
11. Stoplight parrotfish | 82.2 | few-many |
12. Spotted goatfish | 81.1 | few-many |
13. Ocean surgeonfish | 80.1 | many |
14. Blue chromis | 77.1 | many |
15. French angelfish | 76.4 | single-few |
16. Yellowtail damselfish | 76.4 | few-many |
17. Smooth trunkfish | 75.4 | few |
18. Trumpetfish | 75.1 | few |
19. Spanish hogfish | 71.0 | few |
20. Schoolmaster | 69.7 | few-many |
21. Blackbar soldierfish | 69.7 | few-many |
22. Yellowhead wrasse | 69.4 | many |
23. Princess parrotfish | 65.0 | few-many |
24. Bluestriped grunt | 61.6 | few-many |
25. Sharpnose puffer | 60.9 | few |
References and Further Reading
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