detritus have been reported as its main diet in Caribbean reefs (Randall, 1967). Other
rominent herbivores include four species of parrotfishes (Scarus iserti, Sparisoma
spp.), and the blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus). The herbivorous fish assemblage
presented a combined abundance of approximately 11 % of the total fish abundance
within belt-transects. Opportunistic carnivores that feed on small infaunal and epibenthic
invertebrates were represented by the bluehead, yellowhead and yellowcheek wrasses
(Thalassoma bifasciatum, Halichoeres garnoti, H. cyanocephalus), caribbean puffer
(Canthigaster rostrata), harlequin bass (Serranus tigrinus), queen triggerfish (Balistes
vetula), spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus), hamlets (Hypoplectru
. chlorurus)
and the redspotted hawkfish (Amblycirr tus pin
), among others. All the
forementioned
at comprise the zooplan tivorous, herbivorous and
arnivorous fish assemblages are small fishes that serve as forage for mid-size
demersal piscivores, such as the red hind, graysbe, and the coney, as well as for large
demersal and p
ators, such as yellow grouper, cero mackerels, black jacks
nd great barracudas, observed during ASEC s
42).
Commercially important species for the aquarium fish trade market, such as the
cherubfish, fairy basslet, rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor), blue chromis (Chromis
cyanea), redspotted hawkfish, spanish hogfish and longsnout butterflyfish (Chaetodon
aculeatus) were present at 50 m in Agelas Reef. Estimates of their stock size, based on
their mean density within belt-transects and the total area of reef habitat between 45 –
60 m depths are presented in Table 42. Fairy basslets, cherubfishes, and blue and
sunshine chromis were observed in their full size range, indicative that they are
recruiting and s
eir entire life cycle in this reef habitat. Butterflyfishes and roc
eauties (angelfish) were observed in their full adult sizes, sugg
Agelas Reef
ay function mostly as a foraging and/or reproductive (mating) habitat for these fish
pecies.
ish species of commercial value in the food market included red hind and yellowfin
groupers (Epinephelus guttatus, Mycteroperca venenosa). Yellowfin groupers were only
observed in large adult sizes, whereas a couple of red hinds were observed in juvenile
izes of 6 – 8 cm (Table 43). These data suggests that large groupers use Agelas Reef
ostly as a foraging ground. Red hinds appear to be adult residents, but may also be
recruiting at this reef. Post-settlement and early juvenile red hinds have been observed
p
s puella, H
hi
nos
a
species th
k
c
elagic pred
fin
a
urveys in this reef (Table
pending th
k
b
esting that
m
s
F
s
m
146
rominent herbivores include four species of parrotfishes (Scarus iserti, Sparisoma
spp.), and the blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus). The herbivorous fish assemblage
presented a combined abundance of approximately 11 % of the total fish abundance
within belt-transects. Opportunistic carnivores that feed on small infaunal and epibenthic
invertebrates were represented by the bluehead, yellowhead and yellowcheek wrasses
(Thalassoma bifasciatum, Halichoeres garnoti, H. cyanocephalus), caribbean puffer
(Canthigaster rostrata), harlequin bass (Serranus tigrinus), queen triggerfish (Balistes
vetula), spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus), hamlets (Hypoplectru
. chlorurus)
and the redspotted hawkfish (Amblycirr tus pin
), among others. All the
forementioned
at comprise the zooplan tivorous, herbivorous and
arnivorous fish assemblages are small fishes that serve as forage for mid-size
demersal piscivores, such as the red hind, graysbe, and the coney, as well as for large
demersal and p
ators, such as yellow grouper, cero mackerels, black jacks
nd great barracudas, observed during ASEC s
42).
Commercially important species for the aquarium fish trade market, such as the
cherubfish, fairy basslet, rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor), blue chromis (Chromis
cyanea), redspotted hawkfish, spanish hogfish and longsnout butterflyfish (Chaetodon
aculeatus) were present at 50 m in Agelas Reef. Estimates of their stock size, based on
their mean density within belt-transects and the total area of reef habitat between 45 –
60 m depths are presented in Table 42. Fairy basslets, cherubfishes, and blue and
sunshine chromis were observed in their full size range, indicative that they are
recruiting and s
eir entire life cycle in this reef habitat. Butterflyfishes and roc
eauties (angelfish) were observed in their full adult sizes, sugg
Agelas Reef
ay function mostly as a foraging and/or reproductive (mating) habitat for these fish
pecies.
ish species of commercial value in the food market included red hind and yellowfin
groupers (Epinephelus guttatus, Mycteroperca venenosa). Yellowfin groupers were only
observed in large adult sizes, whereas a couple of red hinds were observed in juvenile
izes of 6 – 8 cm (Table 43). These data suggests that large groupers use Agelas Reef
ostly as a foraging ground. Red hinds appear to be adult residents, but may also be
recruiting at this reef. Post-settlement and early juvenile red hinds have been observed
p
s puella, H
hi
nos
a
species th
k
c
elagic pred
fin
a
urveys in this reef (Table
pending th
k
b
esting that
m
s
F
s
m
146