Introduction 

Tortola is one of the  British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea.  Over 310 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Tortola.

25 most common species in Tortola

The following ranking is based on the results of 2948  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 2186 hours and 49 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report.  Tortola (including Buck Island and Frenchmans Cay. June 4, 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 Tortola.  ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Brown chromis—tone of the reef fish with the highest mean abundance in Tortola. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

References and Further Reading

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation
• Geographic Zone Report- 06-04-2009
• REEF Fish Gallery
• Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078