Introduction 

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the West Indies, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, located  southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas.  Over 370 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

25 most common species in Turks and Caicos Islands

The following ranking is based on the results of 3486  REEF Fish Surveys covering a bottom time of 3915 hours and 3 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 the Turks and Caicos Islands ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Blue chromis—the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in the Turks and Caicos Islands. ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994.

Islands of Turks and Caicos Islands

• Common coral reef fishes of French Cay
• Common coral reef fishes of Grand Turk 
• Common coral reef fishes of Providenciales
• Common coral reef fishes of Salt Cay
• Common coral reef fishes of West Caicos

References and Further Reading

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