Biodiversity:Common coral reef fishes of St. Maarten
Published: October 7, 2009, 7:19 pm
Updated: September 20, 2010, 3:35 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
J. Emmett Duffy Introduction
St. Maarten is located the eastern Caribbean Sea on an island that is shared with St. Martin. St. Maarten is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Over 190 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in St. Martin/St. Maarten.
25 most common species in St. Maarten
The following ranking is based on the results of 129 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 123 hours and 38 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. St. Martin/St. Maarten combined. 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 St. Maarten. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St Maarten. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 89.9 | few-many |
2. Seergeant major | 89.9 | many |
3. Bluehead | 89.1 | many-abundant |
4. Spotted goatfish | 88.4 | few |
5. French grunt | 86.0 | few-many |
6. Ocean surgeonfish | 85.3 | many |
7. Stoplight parrotfish | 82.2 | few-many |
8. Foureye butterflyfish | 78.3 | few |
9. Yellowtail snapper | 75.2 | few-many |
10. Bicolor damselfish | 72.1 | many |
11. Bluestriped grunt | 70.5 | few |
12. Trumpetfish | 68.2 | few |
13. Brown chromis | 68.2 | many |
14. Blackbar soldierfish | 68.2 | few-many |
15. Bar jack | 65.1 | few |
16. Yellowtail damselfish | 65.1 | few |
17. Spanish hogfish | 62.8 | single-few |
18. Redband parrotfish | 62.0 | few-many |
19. Yellow goatfish | 62.0 | few-many |
20. Blue chromis | 58.1 | many |
21. Sharpnose puffer | 56.6 | single-few |
22. Yellowhead wrasse | 55.8 | few-many |
23. Rock beauty | 55.8 | few |
24. Striped parrotfish | 55.8 | few-many |
25. Banded butterflyfish | 55.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);J. Emmett Duffy (Topic Editor) "Common coral reef fishes of St. Maarten". 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 21, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Common_coral_reef_fishes_of_St._Maarten?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
St. Maarten is located the eastern Caribbean Sea on an island that is shared with St. Martin. St. Maarten is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Over 190 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in St. Martin/St. Maarten.
25 most common species in St. Maarten
The following ranking is based on the results of 129 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 123 hours and 38 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. St. Martin/St. Maarten combined. 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 St. Maarten. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Brown chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in St Maarten. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.
Species | % of surveys observed | Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang | 89.9 | few-many |
2. Seergeant major | 89.9 | many |
3. Bluehead | 89.1 | many-abundant |
4. Spotted goatfish | 88.4 | few |
5. French grunt | 86.0 | few-many |
6. Ocean surgeonfish | 85.3 | many |
7. Stoplight parrotfish | 82.2 | few-many |
8. Foureye butterflyfish | 78.3 | few |
9. Yellowtail snapper | 75.2 | few-many |
10. Bicolor damselfish | 72.1 | many |
11. Bluestriped grunt | 70.5 | few |
12. Trumpetfish | 68.2 | few |
13. Brown chromis | 68.2 | many |
14. Blackbar soldierfish | 68.2 | few-many |
15. Bar jack | 65.1 | few |
16. Yellowtail damselfish | 65.1 | few |
17. Spanish hogfish | 62.8 | single-few |
18. Redband parrotfish | 62.0 | few-many |
19. Yellow goatfish | 62.0 | few-many |
20. Blue chromis | 58.1 | many |
21. Sharpnose puffer | 56.6 | single-few |
22. Yellowhead wrasse | 55.8 | few-many |
23. Rock beauty | 55.8 | few |
24. Striped parrotfish | 55.8 | few-many |
25. Banded butterflyfish | 55.0 | few |
References and Further Reading
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