Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Belize
Published: October 7, 2009, 8:17 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:34 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Belize is a nation in Central America bordering Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean Sea. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Belize.
25 most common species in Belize
The following ranking is based on the results of 134 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 157 hours and 29 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 28, 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.
Foureye butterflyfish- the most frequently observed reef fish in Belize. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Belize. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Foureye butterflyfish | 89.9 | few |
2. Blue tang | 87.6 | few-many |
3. Stoplight parrotfish | 87.1 | few-many |
4. Yellowtail snapper | 85.7 | many |
5. Blue chromis | 84.2 | many-abundant |
6. Bicolor damselfish | 83.2 | many |
7. Fairy basslet | 82.6 | many |
8. Bluehead | 82.2 | many |
9. French grunt | 76.1 | few |
10. Rock beauty | 75.4 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 73.0 | few-many |
12. Bar jack | 70.3 | few-many |
13. Longspine squirrelfish | 68.2 | few |
14. Creole wrasse | 67.8 | few-many |
15. Schoolmaster | 66.1 | few |
16. Bluestriped grunt | 65.0 | few |
17. Threespot damselfish | 64.5 | few-many |
18. Gray angelfish | 63.5 | single-few |
19. Graysby | 63.0 | few |
20. Banded butterflyfish | 62.8 | few |
21. Ocean surgeonfish | 61.4 | few-many |
22. Queen angelfish | 60.9 | single-few |
23. Redband parrotfish | 60.1 | few |
24. Spanish hogfish | 59.4 | single-few |
25. Sharpnose puffer | 59.2 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Belize". 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 26, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Belize?topic=49480>
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
Belize is a nation in Central America bordering Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean Sea. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Belize.
25 most common species in Belize
The following ranking is based on the results of 134 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 157 hours and 29 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 28, 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.
Foureye butterflyfish- the most frequently observed reef fish in Belize. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Blue chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Belize. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Foureye butterflyfish | 89.9 | few |
2. Blue tang | 87.6 | few-many |
3. Stoplight parrotfish | 87.1 | few-many |
4. Yellowtail snapper | 85.7 | many |
5. Blue chromis | 84.2 | many-abundant |
6. Bicolor damselfish | 83.2 | many |
7. Fairy basslet | 82.6 | many |
8. Bluehead | 82.2 | many |
9. French grunt | 76.1 | few |
10. Rock beauty | 75.4 | few |
11. Yellowhead wrasse | 73.0 | few-many |
12. Bar jack | 70.3 | few-many |
13. Longspine squirrelfish | 68.2 | few |
14. Creole wrasse | 67.8 | few-many |
15. Schoolmaster | 66.1 | few |
16. Bluestriped grunt | 65.0 | few |
17. Threespot damselfish | 64.5 | few-many |
18. Gray angelfish | 63.5 | single-few |
19. Graysby | 63.0 | few |
20. Banded butterflyfish | 62.8 | few |
21. Ocean surgeonfish | 61.4 | few-many |
22. Queen angelfish | 60.9 | single-few |
23. Redband parrotfish | 60.1 | few |
24. Spanish hogfish | 59.4 | single-few |
25. Sharpnose puffer | 59.2 | few |
References and Further Reading
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