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Common coral reef fishes of St. John

Coral Reefs:

Common coral reef fishes of St. John

Published:
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:27 pm
Topics: Coral Reefs Ecology Marine Ecology Biodiversity Species Fisheries
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: J. Emmett Duffy

Introduction 

St. John is one of the  U. S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea.  Over 280 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in St. John.

25 most common species in St. John

The following ranking is based on the results of 717 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 780 hours and 7 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 9, 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 St.. John.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Blue tang—the most frequently observed reef fish in St.. John.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St. John. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994. Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St. John. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
 

Species

 % of surveys observed

Mean abundance category

 1. Blue tang

 88.3

 few-many

 2. Stoplight parrotfish 

 86.1

 few-many

 3. Foureye butterflyfish 

 84.5

 few

 4. Bluehead

 81.2

 few-many

 5. French grunt   

 80.3

 few-many

 6. Sergeant major 

 80.1

 few-many

 7. Bar jack   

 74.3

 few-many

 8. Yellowtail snapper

 73.6

 few-many

 9. Ocean surgeonfish  

 71.1

 few-many

 10. Yellowtail damselfish

 70.7

 few

 11. Yellow goatfish 

 68.3

 few

 12. Bicolor damselfish

 61.1

 few-many

 13. Trumpetfish 

 60.8

 single-few

 14. Spotted goatfish 

 60.5

 few

 15. Redband parrotfish 

 58.7

 few

 16. Bluestriped grunt

 57.7

 few

 17. Fairy basslet

 57.3

 few-many

 18. Princess parrotfish

 56.2

 few

 19. Doctorfish

 55.0

 few

 20. Yellowhead wrasse

 53.6

 few-many

 21.  Barred hamlet

 52.6

 few

 22.  Beaugregory

 52.6

 few

 23. Slippery dick

 50.8

 few-many

 24. Banded butterflyfish  

 50.2

 single-few

 25.  Longspine squirrelfish   

 48.5

 few

References and Further Reading

Citation

Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of St. John". 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 20, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_St._John?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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