Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of Saba
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:33 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 5:31 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
Saba is an island located in the eastern Caribbean Sea that is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Over 230 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Saba.
25 most common species in Saba
The following ranking is based on the results of 443 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 401 hours and 51 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 Saba. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Saba. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 92.8 | many |
2. Brown chromis | 90.7 | many-abundant |
3. Blue chromis | 90.1 | many |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 89.8 | many-abundant |
5. Black durgon | 89.6 | many |
6. Fairy basslet | 88.5 | many |
7. Bluehead | 88.0 | many |
8. Coney | 82.8 | few-many |
9. Bar jack | 79.7 | few-many |
10. Foureye butterflyfish | 79.5 | few |
11. Rock beauty | 79.0 | few |
12. Stoplight parrotfish | 78.1 | few |
13. Spanish hogfish | 78.1 | few |
14. Blackbar soldierfish | 77.2 | few-many |
15. Banded butterflyfish | 74.9 | few |
16. Ocean surgeonfish | 73.8 | few-many |
17. Yellow goatfish | 72.9 | few |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 72.2 | few-many |
19. Smooth trunkfish | 71.6 | single-few |
20. Sergeant major | 70.4 | many |
21. Princess parrotfish | 66.1 | few |
22. Yellowtail damselfish | 64.1 | few |
23. Schoolmaster | 63.7 | single-few |
24. Mahogany snapper | 63.7 | few |
25. Redband parrotfish | 63.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of Saba". 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 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_Saba?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
Saba is an island located in the eastern Caribbean Sea that is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Over 230 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Saba.
25 most common species in Saba
The following ranking is based on the results of 443 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 401 hours and 51 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 Saba. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Saba. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species
| % of surveys observed
| Mean abundance category
|
1. Blue tang | 92.8 | many |
2. Brown chromis | 90.7 | many-abundant |
3. Blue chromis | 90.1 | many |
4. Bicolor damselfish | 89.8 | many-abundant |
5. Black durgon | 89.6 | many |
6. Fairy basslet | 88.5 | many |
7. Bluehead | 88.0 | many |
8. Coney | 82.8 | few-many |
9. Bar jack | 79.7 | few-many |
10. Foureye butterflyfish | 79.5 | few |
11. Rock beauty | 79.0 | few |
12. Stoplight parrotfish | 78.1 | few |
13. Spanish hogfish | 78.1 | few |
14. Blackbar soldierfish | 77.2 | few-many |
15. Banded butterflyfish | 74.9 | few |
16. Ocean surgeonfish | 73.8 | few-many |
17. Yellow goatfish | 72.9 | few |
18. Yellowhead wrasse | 72.2 | few-many |
19. Smooth trunkfish | 71.6 | single-few |
20. Sergeant major | 70.4 | many |
21. Princess parrotfish | 66.1 | few |
22. Yellowtail damselfish | 64.1 | few |
23. Schoolmaster | 63.7 | single-few |
24. Mahogany snapper | 63.7 | few |
25. Redband parrotfish | 63.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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