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Common coral reef fishes of Bermuda

Coral Reefs:

Common coral reef fishes of Bermuda

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

Introduction 

Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, it is situated around 1,770 kilometres (1,100 mi) northeast of Miami, Florida, and 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.. Over 240 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Bermuda.

25 most common species in Bermuda

The following ranking is based on the results of 3441 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2291 hours and 29 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.

French grunt- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bermuda. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. French grunt- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bermuda. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

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

 

Species

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. French grunt

 90.1

 few

 2. Sergeant major

 83.4

 few-many

 3. Ocean surgeonfish  

 78.2

 few-many

 4. Foureye butterflyfish  

 76.6

 few

 5. Stoplight parrotfish

 75.4

 few-many

 6. Bluehead  

 73.7

 many

 7. Rock beauty

 73.6

 many

 8. Striped parrotfish  

 72.6

 few

 9. Queen parrotfish

 71.0

 few-many

 10. Blue angelfish 

 67.1

 few-many

 11. Bermuda/Yellow chub

 66.8

 single-few

 12. Bermuda bream

 65.5

 few-many

 

13. Puddingwife

 61.6

 few

 14. Bluestriped grunt        

 61.0

 few

 15. Princess parrotfish

 59.9

 few-many

 16. Yellowtail damselfish

 57.0

 few

 17. Doctorfish

 56.8

 few

 18. Spanish hogfishy

 55.3

 few

 19. Gray snapper   

 54.6

 few

 20.  Slippery dick

 54.0

 few-many

 21.  Redband parrotfish

 53.9

 few

 22.  Yellowhead wrasse

 53.9

 few-many

 23. Barred hamlet 

 51.0

 few

 24. Coney

 49.6

 few

 25.  Spotted goatfish

 48.2

 single-few

 References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Bermuda". 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 21, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Bermuda?topic=49570>

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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