Common coral reef fishes of Grand Cayman
Stoplight parrotfish. Source: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Staff
Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands. Over315 species of reef fishes have been identified during REEF Fish Surveys in Grand Cayman.
25 most common species in Grand Cayman
The following ranking is based on the results of1349REEF Fish Surveyscovering a bottom time of1301 hours and7 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 Grand Cayman. Reef Fish Identification, New World Publications © 1994. 
Blue chromis- the reef fish with the highest mean adundance in Grand Cayman. Reef Fish Identification, New World Publications © 1994. |
Species |
% of surveys observed |
Mean abundance category |
|
1. Blue tang |
87.8 |
few-many |
|
2. Stoplight parrotfish |
87.1 |
few-many |
|
3. Blue chromis |
86.0 |
many-abundant |
|
4. Foureye butterflyfish |
85.2 |
few |
|
5. Bluehead |
83.5 |
many |
|
6. Bicolor damselfish |
82.3 |
many |
|
7. Fairy basslet |
81.3 |
many |
|
8. French grunt |
80.1 |
few |
|
9. Bar jack |
76.2 |
many |
|
10. Black durgon |
74.8 |
many |
|
11. Yellowtail snapper |
72.9 |
few-many |
|
12. Yellowhead wrasse |
72.6 |
few-many |
|
13. Rock beauty |
72.1 |
single-few |
|
14. Schoolmaster |
71.5 |
few |
|
15. Graysby |
69.5 |
few |
|
16. Yellow goatfish |
69.2 |
few |
|
17. Yellowtail damselfish |
69.2 |
few |
|
18. Brown chromis |
68.5 |
many |
|
19. Creole wrasse |
66.9 |
many-abundant |
|
20.Redband parrotfish |
66.3 |
few-many |
|
21. Princess parrotfish |
64.8 |
few |
|
22. Bluestriped grunt |
64.6 |
few |
|
23. Striped parrotfish |
62.7 |
few-many |
|
24. Ocean surgeonfish |
61.8 |
few |
|
25. Banded butterflyfish |
61.7 |
few |
References and Further Reading
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation
- Geographic Zone Report- 06-03-2009
- REEF Fish Gallery
- Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
