Common coral reef fishes of Aruba
Contents
Introduction
Aruba (Common coral reef fishes of Aruba) is located in the southern Caribbean Sea (Caribbean Sea large marine ecosystem), north of Venzuela. Over 165 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Aruba.
25 most common species in Aruba
The following ranking is based on the results of209 surveys covering a bottom time of336 hours and29 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. Sergeant major |
95.3 |
many |
|
2. Bluehead |
92.6 |
many |
|
3. Blue tang |
88.9 |
few-many |
|
4. Foureye butterflyfish |
88.2 |
few-many |
|
5. Bicolor damselfish |
89.7 |
many-abundant |
|
6. French grunt |
86.5 |
few-many |
|
7. Yellow goatfish |
86.5 |
many |
|
8. Banded butterflyfish |
85.5 |
few |
|
9. Yellowtail snapper |
82.8 |
few-many |
|
10. Brown chromis |
82.2 |
many-abundant |
|
11. Stoplight parrotfish |
82.2 |
few-many |
|
12. Spotted goatfish |
81.1 |
few-many |
|
13. Ocean surgeonfish |
80.1 |
many |
|
14. Blue chromis |
77.1 |
many |
|
15. French angelfish |
76.4 |
single-few |
|
16. Yellowtail damselfish |
76.4 |
few-many |
|
17. Smooth trunkfish |
75.4 |
few |
|
18. Trumpetfish |
75.1 |
few |
|
19. Spanish hogfish |
71.0 |
few |
|
20. Schoolmaster |
69.7 |
few-many |
|
21. Blackbar soldierfish |
69.7 |
few-many |
|
22. Yellowhead wrasse |
69.4 |
many |
|
23. Princess parrotfish |
65.0 |
few-many |
|
24. Bluestriped grunt |
61.6 |
few-many |
|
25. Sharpnose puffer |
60.9 |
few |
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
