Venezuela is a country in northern South America bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the north, Guyana to the southeast, Colombia to the west, and Brazil to the south.  Over 320 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Venezuela.

Most common 25 species in Venezuela

The following ranking is based on the results of 933 REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 997 hours and 59 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report. June 1, 2009).  The species are ranked by the percentage of surveys in which a species was observed.  Abundance of fishes in 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.

Bicolor damselfish—the most frequently observed reef fish in Venezuela. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

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

References and Further Reading

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation
• Geographic Zone Report- 06-01-2009
• REEF Fish Gallery
• Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078