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Common coral reef fishes of Grand Cayman

Biodiversity:

Common coral reef fishes of Grand Cayman

Stoplight parrotfish. Source: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Staff Stoplight parrotfish. Source: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Staff
Published:
Updated: July 29, 2012, 11:44 pm
Topics: Biodiversity Geography Marine Ecology Species Fisheries Coral Reefs
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands.  Over 315 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Grand Cayman.

25 most common species in Grand Cayman

The following ranking is based on the results of 1349  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 1301 hours and 7 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.

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

 

 

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

 

Species 

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Blue tang

 87.8

 few-many

 2. Stoplight parrotfish

 87.1

 few-many

 3. Blue chromis

 86.0

 many-abundant

 4. Foureye butterflyfish

 85.2

 few

 5. Bluehead

 83.5

 many

 6. Bicolor damselfish

 82.3

 many

 7. Fairy  basslet

 81.3

 many

 8. French grunt 

 80.1

 few

 9. Bar jack

 76.2

 many

 10. Black durgon

 74.8

 many

 11. Yellowtail snapper

 72.9

 few-many

 12. Yellowhead wrasse

 72.6

 few-many

 13. Rock beauty

 72.1

 single-few

 14. Schoolmaster

 71.5

 few

 15. Graysby

 69.5

 few

 16. Yellow goatfish

 69.2

 few

 17. Yellowtail damselfish

 69.2

 few

 18. Brown chromis

 68.5

 many

 19. Creole wrasse  

 66.9

 many-abundant

 20. Redband parrotfish

 66.3

 few-many

 21.  Princess parrotfish

 64.8

 few

 22.  Bluestriped grunt

 64.6

 few

 23. Striped parrotfish

 62.7

 few-many

 24. Ocean surgeonfish

 61.8

 few

 25.  Banded butterflyfish

 61.7

 few

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Grand Cayman". 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 July 29, 2012; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Grand_Cayman?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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