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Common coral reef fishes of French Cay

Coral Reefs:

Common coral reef fishes of French Cay

Published:
Updated: September 20, 2010, 4:23 pm
Topics: Biodiversity Geography Marine Ecology Species Coral Reefs Fisheries
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Introduction 

French Cay is one of the  Turks and Caicos Islands  in the West Indies.  Over 220 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in French Cay.

25 most common species in French Cay

The following ranking is based on the results of 344  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 328 hours and 15 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.

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

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

Species

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Foureye butterflyfish

 87.8

 few

 2. Stoplight parrotfish

 83.7

 few

 3. Bluehead

 83.4

 many

 4. Blue chromis

 82.0

 mean-abundant

 5. Bicolor damselfish 

 81.4

 few-many

 6. Fairy basslet    

 77.6

 many

 7. Trumpetfish

 76.7

 few-many

 8. Yellowtail snapper

 76.2

 few-many

 9. Blue tang

 74.4

 few

 10. Nassa grouper 

 71.2

 single-few

 11. French grunt

 70.9

 few -many

 12. Bluestriped grunt 

 68.0

 few

 13. Queen angelfish 

 66.9

 single-few

 14. Rock beauty

 66.9

 few

 15. Black durgon

 66.6

 few

 16. Bar jack

 66.3

 few

 17. Princess parrotfish

 66.0

 single-few

 18. Horse-eye jack

 65.6

 few-many

 19. Longspine squirrelfish

 64.9

 few-many

 20. Harlequin bass

 62.6

 few

 21.  Yellow goatfish

 62.2

 few

 22.  Yellowhead wrasse

 62.1

 few-many

 23. Queen triggerfish

 60.4

 few

 24. Great barracuda

 59.8

 few

 25.  Schoolmaster

 57.8

 many

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of French Cay". 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 26, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_French_Cay?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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