Rate This Article

Average: 2/5

Common coral reef fishes of Curacao

Biodiversity:

Common coral reef fishes of Curacao

Published:
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:59 pm
Topics: Biodiversity Geography Marine Ecology Species Coral Reefs Fisheries
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Introduction 

Curacoao is an island in the Netherlands Antilles (or "Dutch Antilles") located to the north of the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea.  Over 310 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Curacao.

25 most common species in Curacao

The following ranking is based on the results of 1386 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 1399 hours and 51 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.

Bluehead- the most frequently observed reef fish in Curacao. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Bluehead- the most frequently observed reef fish in Curacao. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

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

Species

 % of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Foureye butterflyfish

 88.3

 few

 2. Blue tang

 88.0

 few-many

 3. Bicolor damselfish

 87.7

 many-abundant

 4. Stoplight parrotfish

 86.8

 few-many

 5. Brown chromis 

 86.7

 many-abundant

 6. French grunt 

 85.6

 few-many

 7. Bluehead

 83.4

 many

 8. Sergeant major

 83.1

 few-many

 9. Trumpetfish

 81.2

 many

 10. Blue chromis

 77.3

 many

 11. Yellow goatfish

 76.1

 few-many

 12. Smooth trunkfish

 74.8

 single-few

 13. Princess parrotfish

 73.9

 few-many

 14. Yellowhead wrasse

 72.4

 few-many

 15. Banded butterflyfish

 72.3

 few

 16. Blackbar soldierfish 

 71.9

 few-many

 17. Fairy basslet

 71.2

 few-many

 18. Yellowtail damselfish 

 70.5

 few

 19. Spanish hogfish

 66.2

 few

 20. Graysby

 63.7

 few

 21.  Redband parrotfish

 63.5

 few

 22.  Queen parrotfish

 63.1

 few

 23. Yellowtail snapper

 62.0

 few

 24. Schoolmaster

 61.8

 few

 25.  Threespot samselfish

 60.8

 few-many

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Curacao". 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 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Curacao?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)

0 Comments

Add Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Click here to login