Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Bonaire
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:42 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 5:34 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Bonaire is an island in the Netherlands Antilles (or "Dutch Antilles") located to the north of the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea. Over 475 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Bonaire.
25 most common species in Bonaire
The following ranking is based on the results of 16,307 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 20,992 hours and 42 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 1, 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.
Stoplight parrotfish- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bonaire. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bonaire. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Stoplight parrotfish | 95.9 | few-many |
2. Blue tang | 95.7 | few-many |
3. Brown chromis | 95.4 | many-abundant |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 95.0 | many-abundant |
5. Sergeant major | 94.1 | many |
6. Foureye butterflyfish | 93.9 | few |
7. Yellow goatfish | 93.9 | many |
8. Bluehead | 93.5 | many-abundant |
9. French grunt | 93.3 | few-many |
10. Trumpetfish | 93.3 | few |
11. Schoolmaster | 91.7 | few-many |
12. Blackbar soldierfish | 90.8 | few-many |
13. Smooth trunkfish | 90.0 | few |
14. Blue chromis | 89.9 | many |
15. Princess parrotfish | 89.9 | few-many |
16. Bar jack | 89.9 | few |
17. Queen parrotfish | 89.3 | few-many |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 89.0 | many |
19. Spanish hogfish | 88.9 | few |
20. Graysby | 88.8 | few-many |
21. Yellowtail snapper | 88.8 | few-many |
22. Yellowtail Ddamselfish | 88.0 | few-many |
23. Mahogany snapper | 86.5 | few-many |
24. Banded butterflyfish | 86.0 | few |
25. Fairy basslet | 85.6 | many |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Bonaire". 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_Bonaire?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
Bonaire is an island in the Netherlands Antilles (or "Dutch Antilles") located to the north of the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea. Over 475 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Bonaire.
25 most common species in Bonaire
The following ranking is based on the results of 16,307 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 20,992 hours and 42 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 1, 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.
Stoplight parrotfish- the most frequently observed reef fish in Bonaire. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Bonaire. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Stoplight parrotfish | 95.9 | few-many |
2. Blue tang | 95.7 | few-many |
3. Brown chromis | 95.4 | many-abundant |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 95.0 | many-abundant |
5. Sergeant major | 94.1 | many |
6. Foureye butterflyfish | 93.9 | few |
7. Yellow goatfish | 93.9 | many |
8. Bluehead | 93.5 | many-abundant |
9. French grunt | 93.3 | few-many |
10. Trumpetfish | 93.3 | few |
11. Schoolmaster | 91.7 | few-many |
12. Blackbar soldierfish | 90.8 | few-many |
13. Smooth trunkfish | 90.0 | few |
14. Blue chromis | 89.9 | many |
15. Princess parrotfish | 89.9 | few-many |
16. Bar jack | 89.9 | few |
17. Queen parrotfish | 89.3 | few-many |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 89.0 | many |
19. Spanish hogfish | 88.9 | few |
20. Graysby | 88.8 | few-many |
21. Yellowtail snapper | 88.8 | few-many |
22. Yellowtail Ddamselfish | 88.0 | few-many |
23. Mahogany snapper | 86.5 | few-many |
24. Banded butterflyfish | 86.0 | few |
25. Fairy basslet | 85.6 | many |
References and Further Reading
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