Common coral reef fishes of Anguilla
Contents
Introduction
Anguilla (Common coral reef fishes of Anguilla) is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16mi) long by 5 km (3.1mi) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aguilla.
25 most common species in Anguilla
The following ranking is based on the results of102 surveys covering a bottom time of74 hours and 56 minutes. (REEF Geographic Zone Report, May 27, 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.
Species |
% of surveys observed |
Mean abundance category |
1. Blue tang |
99.0 |
many |
2. Stoplight parrotfish |
98.0 |
few-many |
3. Bluehead |
98.0 |
many |
4. Ocean surgeonfish |
95.1 |
many |
5. Redband parrotfish |
90.2 |
many |
6. Doctorfish |
87.3 |
few |
7. Queen parrotfish |
86.3 |
few |
8. Yellowtail damselfish |
86.3 |
few |
9. Chromis |
85.3 |
many |
10. Bar jack |
85.3 |
few |
11. Bicolor damselfish |
82.4 |
few-many |
12. Slippery dick |
81.4 |
few |
13. Damselfish |
81.4 |
few-many |
14. Yellowhead wrasse |
81.4 |
few-many |
15. Sergeant major |
80.4 |
few-many |
16. Sharpnose puffer |
78.4 |
single-few |
17. Clown wrasse |
78.4 |
few |
18. French grunt |
77.5 |
few |
19. Striped parrotfish |
77.5 |
few |
20. Spotted goatfish |
76.5 |
few |
21. Foureye butterflyfish |
76.5 |
single-few |
22. Puddingwife |
76.5 |
single-few |
23. Princess parrotfish |
76.5 |
few-many |
24. Beaugregory |
75.5 |
few |
25. Blue chromis |
71.6 |
many |
References and Further Reading
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation
- Geographic Zone Report- 05-27-2009
- REEF Fish Gallery
- Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078