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Common coral reef fishes of Bequia

Biodiversity:

Common coral reef fishes of Bequia

Published:
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:13 pm
Topics: Biodiversity Marine Ecology Species Coral Reefs Fisheries
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Introduction 

Bequia is an island that is part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines located in the eastern Caribbean Sea just south of St. Vincent.  Over 280 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Bequia.

25 most common species in Bequia

The following ranking is based on the results of 301  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 320 hours and 8 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 3, 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.

Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bequia. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bequia. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bequia. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bequia. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Species

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. French grunt

                  96.7

 few

 2. Banded butterflyfish 

 95.3

 few

 3. Blackbar soldierfish

 95.0

 few-many

 4. Brown chromis

 94.4

 mean-abundant

 5. Coney

 93.0

 few-many

 6. Yellowtail damselfish 

 92.7

 few-many

 7. Foureye buterflyfish

 92.4

 few

 8. Bluehead

 92.4

 many

 9. Mahogany snapper

 92.0

few-many

10.  Trumpetfish

 92.0

few

11. Sergeant major

 92.0

many

 12. Blue tang

 91.7

 few

 13. Redband parrotfish

 90.0

 few-many

 14. Yellow goatfish

 89.7

 few-many

 15. Bicolor damselfish

 89.4

 many-abundant

16. Longsnout butterflyfish  

 89.0

 few

 17. Creole wrasse

 88.7

 many

 18. Smooth trunkfish

 88.4

 few

 19. Ocean surgeonfish

 88.4

 many

 20. Yellowhead wrasse

 87.0

many

 21.  Stoplight parrotfish

86.7

 few-many

 22.  Smallmouth grunt   

 86.4

 few-many

 23. Rock beauty

 86.0

 single-few

 24. Spotted goatfish

 84.7

 few

 25.  Blue chromis

 84.4

 many

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Bequia". 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 June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Bequia?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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