Volume 54
Distribution and Abundance of Fishes Associated with Sargassum Mats in the NW Gulf of Mexico
Authors
Wells, R.J.D.; Rooker, J.R. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2001
Pages: 609-621
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Fourth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands
Country: Turks and Caicos Islands
Abstract
Distribution and abundance of fishes associated with Sargassum mats in the NW Gulf of Mexico were examined off northern (Galveston) and southern (port Aransas) Texas from May-August 2000. A total of 37 species (17 families) was identified from larval purse seine collections. Individuals from seven species composed over 97% of the catch; planehead filefish (Monacanthus hispidus), blue runner (Caranx crysos), gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), chain pipefish (Syngnathus louisianae), sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis), sargassum fish (Histrio histrio), and greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). Temporal patterns were observed for several taxa; M. hispidus, S. louisianae, and H. histrio were more abundant in early summer (May - June), while C. crysos and A. saxatilis were more prominent late in the season (July - August). Abundance of dominant taxa was higher in northem waters and both abundance and diversity increased as a function of distance from shore.