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Common coral reef fishes of Bimini

Biodiversity:

Common coral reef fishes of Bimini

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

Introduction 

Bimini is an island in the  Bahamas  in the West Indies.  Over 320 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Bimini.

25 most common species in Bimini

The following ranking is based on the results of 1672  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 1552 hours and 11 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.

Blue tang- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bimini.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Blue tang- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bimini.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

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

 

Species 

% of surveys observed

 Mean abundance category

 1. Blue tang

 85.8

 few-many

 2. Bluehead

 82.1

 many

 3. Bicolor damselfish

 79.6

 many

 4. Yellowtail snapper

 77.7

 many

 5. French grunt 

 77.2

 many

 6. Foureye butterflyfish

 74.9

 few

 7. Blue chromis

 73.8

 many

 8. Yellowhead wrasse

 70.9

 few-many

 9. Bar jack

 70.9

 few-many

 10. Bluestripe grunt

 68.1

 few-many

 11. Ocean surgeonfish 

 67.5

 few-many

 12. Sergeant major

 66.1

 few-many

 13. Rock beauty

 65.3

 single-few

 14. Longspine squirrelfish

 63.5

 few

 15. Stoplight parrotfish

 62.9

 few

 16. Spanish hogfish

 60.8

 few

 17. Gray angelfish

 60.6

 single-few

 18. Fairy basslet 

 60.6

 few-many

 19. Spotted goatfish

 59.4

 few

 20. Graysby

 58.1

 single-few

 21.  Banded butterflyfish

 57.5

 single-few

 22.  Black durgon

 57.5

 few-many

 23. Doctorfish 

 57.2

 few

 24. Harlequin bass  

 57.1

 few

 25.  Brown chromis

 56.3

 many

 

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Bimini". 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_Bimini?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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