found distributed throughout the mid-slope (Nelson and Appeldoorn, 1985). The Silk,
Wenchman and Blackfin snappers (Lutjanus vivanus, Pristipomoides spp., L.
buccanella), the Deep Sea Squirrelfish (Ostichthys trachypoma), unidentified gobies,
and Holanthias martinicensis were some of the most common demersal species sighted
at the deeper end of the mid-slope (> 120 m). A specious assemblage of coral reef
fishes, such as butterflyfishes, angelfishes, damselfishes, hamlets, squirrelfishes,
triggerfishes, wrasses, parrotfishes and small groupers were observed at the upper end
of the mid shelf (> 120 m). Numerically dominant species of shallow reefs of the insular
shelf (< 20 m), such as the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum), bicolor
damselfish (Stegastes partitus), stoplight and redband parrotfishes (Sparisma viride, S.
aurofrenatum), doctorfishes (Acanthurus spp.) and squirrelfishes (Myripristis jacobus,
Holocentrus spp.) were reported to occur at depths below 120 m. Pelagic species
associated with mid-slope habitats reported by the Seward Johnson Sea-Link II
submersible survey (Nelson and Appeldoorn, 1985) include Jacks (Seriola spp., Caranx
spp.), mackerels (Scomberomorus spp.), Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and
unidentified Gempilids. Most pelagic game fishes, including blue and white marlins
(Makaira nigricans, Tetrapturus albidus), tunas (Thunnus spp), Wahoo Acanthocibium
solanderi) and Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) in the vicinity of insular slope habitats
(Randall, 1983).
Fishes identified from the upper insular slope (30 – 120 m) by the Seward Johnson SeaLink II submersible survey (Nelson and Appeldoorn, 1985) are presented in Table 28. A
total of 70 species were reported from depths between 30 – 120 m, of these 61 species
were present also below depths of 120 m. The most frequently observed demersal
fishes at the upper slope included an assemblage of well known coral reef fishes that are
also common (some numerically dominant) from shallow reefs of the insular shelf and
shelf-edge reefs, such as the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus), blue chromis
(Chromis cyanea), rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor), coney (Cephalopholis fulva),
squirrelfishes (Holocentrus rufus, H. adsencionis, Flammeo marianus) and
butterflyfishes (Chaetodon capistratus, C. sedentarius), among others. There is another
assemblage of fishes that are associated with deep reefs of the insular shelf and are not
common at depths of less than 30 m. These include the cherubfish (Centropyge argi),
sunshine chromis (Chromis insolatus), longsnout butterflyfish (Chaetodon aculeatus),
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Wenchman and Blackfin snappers (Lutjanus vivanus, Pristipomoides spp., L.
buccanella), the Deep Sea Squirrelfish (Ostichthys trachypoma), unidentified gobies,
and Holanthias martinicensis were some of the most common demersal species sighted
at the deeper end of the mid-slope (> 120 m). A specious assemblage of coral reef
fishes, such as butterflyfishes, angelfishes, damselfishes, hamlets, squirrelfishes,
triggerfishes, wrasses, parrotfishes and small groupers were observed at the upper end
of the mid shelf (> 120 m). Numerically dominant species of shallow reefs of the insular
shelf (< 20 m), such as the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum), bicolor
damselfish (Stegastes partitus), stoplight and redband parrotfishes (Sparisma viride, S.
aurofrenatum), doctorfishes (Acanthurus spp.) and squirrelfishes (Myripristis jacobus,
Holocentrus spp.) were reported to occur at depths below 120 m. Pelagic species
associated with mid-slope habitats reported by the Seward Johnson Sea-Link II
submersible survey (Nelson and Appeldoorn, 1985) include Jacks (Seriola spp., Caranx
spp.), mackerels (Scomberomorus spp.), Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and
unidentified Gempilids. Most pelagic game fishes, including blue and white marlins
(Makaira nigricans, Tetrapturus albidus), tunas (Thunnus spp), Wahoo Acanthocibium
solanderi) and Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) in the vicinity of insular slope habitats
(Randall, 1983).
Fishes identified from the upper insular slope (30 – 120 m) by the Seward Johnson SeaLink II submersible survey (Nelson and Appeldoorn, 1985) are presented in Table 28. A
total of 70 species were reported from depths between 30 – 120 m, of these 61 species
were present also below depths of 120 m. The most frequently observed demersal
fishes at the upper slope included an assemblage of well known coral reef fishes that are
also common (some numerically dominant) from shallow reefs of the insular shelf and
shelf-edge reefs, such as the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus), blue chromis
(Chromis cyanea), rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor), coney (Cephalopholis fulva),
squirrelfishes (Holocentrus rufus, H. adsencionis, Flammeo marianus) and
butterflyfishes (Chaetodon capistratus, C. sedentarius), among others. There is another
assemblage of fishes that are associated with deep reefs of the insular shelf and are not
common at depths of less than 30 m. These include the cherubfish (Centropyge argi),
sunshine chromis (Chromis insolatus), longsnout butterflyfish (Chaetodon aculeatus),
95