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Common coral reef fishes of Mexico

Common coral reef fishes of Mexico

School of blue tang in the Caribbean. Source: NOAA School of blue tang in the Caribbean. Source: NOAA
Published:
Updated: December 16, 2011, 3:57 am
Topics: Biodiversity Oceans and seas Marine Ecology Species Coral Reefs Zoology
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: C Michael Hogan

Introduction 

Mexico is a large North American nation located between the United States to the north and the Central American nations of Guatemala and Belize to the south. Over 400 species of reef fishes have been identified during underwater fish surveys in coastal zone and island perimeter marine waters off of Mexico.

Most common 25 species in Mexico

The following ranking is based on the results of 5910 Reef Environmental Education Foundation fish surveys covering a  sea bottom time of 6224 hours and 32 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, Mexican Caribbean,  June 3, 2009).  The species are ranked by the percentage of surveys in which a species was observed.  Abundance of fishes in these fish surveys were 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 chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Mexico. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Blue chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Mexico. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

 

Species

% of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Blue tang

 93.1

 many

 2. Bluehead

 88.6

 many

 3. Foureye butterflyfish

 87.1

 few

 4. Blue chromis

 86.9

 few

 5. Bicolor damselfish

 86.6

 many

 6. Stoplight parrotfish

 85.3

 few-many

 7. Rock beauty

 83.1

 few

 8. French grunt

 80.7

 few-many

 9. Queen angelfish

 80.0

 few

 10. Yellowhead wrasse

 79.9

 many

 11. Bar jack

 79.1

 few-many

 12. French angelfish

 76.0

 few

 13. Coney

 73.4

 few

 14. Ocean surgeonfish

 72.9

 few-many

 15. Redband parrotfish

 72.6

 few-many

 16. Gray angelfish

 71.6

 few

 17. Bluestriped grunt

 71.4

 few

 18. Black durgon 

 70.9

 few-many

 19. Yellowtail damselfish         

 70.4

 few

 20.  Sharpnose puffer 

 70.2

 few

 21.  Graysby

 69.1

 few

 22.  Yellowtail snapper

 68.9

 few-many

 23. Sergeant major

 66.4

 few-many

 24. Banded butterflyfish

 65.8

 few

 25.  Harlequin bass 

 65.8

 few

 

References and Further Reading

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

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);C Michael Hogan (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Mexico". 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 December 16, 2011; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Mexico>

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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