Fish assemblages associated with an established (> 10 years old) artificial reef and an adjacent natural reef.

Abstract

In 1984 an artificial reef consisting of four large marine vessels was deployed on sand bottom in 12 - 33 m depth within 100 m of a shallow (6 11 m depth) natural coral reef. Beginning in February 1994 three of the vessels comprising the artificial reef and the adjacent natural reef were visually censused via SCUBA at two-week intervals. Findings are reported for February - September 1994. A total of 86 species were observed; 67 species each on the artificial and natural reefs. Mean species richness varied by sample site; species richness was higher on the natural reef sites. Mean abundance also varied by site; mean abundance was lower on two of the three artificial reef sites, and was higher on the natural reef sites and the third artificial reef site. Mean abundance and water temperature varied by date, but there was no significant relationship between these variables. The most abundant family on the artificial reef was pomacentridae, while labridae was most abundant on the natural reef. The most abundant recreationally targeted species on the artificial reef represented the families mullidae, pomadasyidae and scaridae. Scaridae, pomadasyidae and holocentridae were most abundant on the natural reef.