Abstract

Coral reef fish often occupy different habitats as juveniles than adults, many of which are nearshore, non-coral reef habitats. Parrotfishes are critical members of coral reef assemblages, fill essential ecological roles in the marine environment, and are an important component of commercial and recreational fisheries in the US Caribbean but have faced increased fishing pressure in recent years. The latest stock assessments of Redtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) in the US Caribbean rely on fisheries-dependent data leaving gaps in the smallest size classes (<15 cm TL). This study aims to address these gaps by developing an analysis of the habitat requirement and associations of juvenile Redtail Parrotfish in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, using fisheries-independent data obtained through underwater surveys. Three habitats of interest, seagrass fringe, hardbottom, and rocky reef, were surveyed for Redtail Parrotfish abundance, benthic cover, and habitat complexity. Overall, Redtail Parrotfish showed a preference for rocky reef and hard bottom habitats over seagrass fringe in all size classes (0-30 cm TL). Habitat complexity significantly differed between the habitat types, but there was no relationship between habitat complexity and Redtail Parrotfish abundance. The benthic characteristics of hard bottom and rocky reef were most similar, with both having live cover dominated by Turf algae and Dictyota. The results of this study will provide an enhanced understanding of habitat selection by juvenile Redtail parrotfish to ensure that these habitats remain abundant in the US Virgin Islands in the face of increasing coastal degradation so that Redtail Parrotfish can maintain adult populations.