Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Guanaja
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:30 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 5:53 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands located in the Caribbean Sea off of the coast of Honduras. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Guanaja.
25 most common species in Guanaja
The following ranking is based on the results of 184 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 182 hours and 56 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.
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in Ganaja. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Masked goby—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Guanaja. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Bluehead | 87.0 | many |
2. Blue tang | 86.4 | few |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 84.8 | few-many |
4. Blue chromis | 84.8 | many |
5. Fairy basslet | 81.0 | many |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 78.8 | few |
7. Striped parrotfish | 78.3 | few-many |
8. Foureye butterflyfish | 77.2 | few |
9. Yellowhead wrasse | 76.1 | few-many |
10. French grunt | 76.1 | single-few |
11. Yellowtail snapper | 73.9 | few |
12. Threespot damselfish | 72.8 | few |
13. Redband parrotfish | 72.3 | few |
14. Bar jack | 71.2 | few |
15. Barred hamlet | 71.2 | single-few |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 70.7 | few |
17. Yellowtail damselfish | 69.6 | few |
18. Rock beauty | 67.4 | single-few |
19. Neon goby | 65.8 | few |
20. Indigo hamlet | 63.6 | single-few |
21. Ocean surgeonfish | 62.5 | few |
22. Spanish hogfish | 62.0 | single-few |
23. Longspine squirrelfish | 59.8 | single-few |
24. Creole wrasse | 59.8 | many |
25. Schoolmaster | 58.2 | single-few |
References and Further Reading
- REEF Fish Gallery
- Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Guanaja". 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 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Guanaja?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
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands located in the Caribbean Sea off of the coast of Honduras. Over 225 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Guanaja.
25 most common species in Guanaja
The following ranking is based on the results of 184 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 182 hours and 56 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.
Bluehead—the most frequently observed reef fish in Ganaja. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Masked goby—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Guanaja. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Bluehead | 87.0 | many |
2. Blue tang | 86.4 | few |
3. Bicolor damselfish | 84.8 | few-many |
4. Blue chromis | 84.8 | many |
5. Fairy basslet | 81.0 | many |
6. Stoplight parrotfish | 78.8 | few |
7. Striped parrotfish | 78.3 | few-many |
8. Foureye butterflyfish | 77.2 | few |
9. Yellowhead wrasse | 76.1 | few-many |
10. French grunt | 76.1 | single-few |
11. Yellowtail snapper | 73.9 | few |
12. Threespot damselfish | 72.8 | few |
13. Redband parrotfish | 72.3 | few |
14. Bar jack | 71.2 | few |
15. Barred hamlet | 71.2 | single-few |
16. Sharpnose puffer | 70.7 | few |
17. Yellowtail damselfish | 69.6 | few |
18. Rock beauty | 67.4 | single-few |
19. Neon goby | 65.8 | few |
20. Indigo hamlet | 63.6 | single-few |
21. Ocean surgeonfish | 62.5 | few |
22. Spanish hogfish | 62.0 | single-few |
23. Longspine squirrelfish | 59.8 | single-few |
24. Creole wrasse | 59.8 | many |
25. Schoolmaster | 58.2 | single-few |
References and Further Reading
- REEF Fish Gallery
- Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
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