Habitat diversity and fish communities on Marsa Gabal El-Rosas reefs, Red Sea

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Ecological variations of habitat diversity and reef fish communities were investigated at Marsa Gabal El-Rosas reefs, north Marsa Alam, Red Sea. Bathymetry and reef profiles were descripted over different habitats at Marsa Gabal El-Rosas reefs. A total of 148 fish species representing 34 families were counted. Transect 6 (T6) had the highest number of species (117 species), while the transect 2 (T2) had the lowest number (40 species). Pomacentridae was the most abundant group at Marsa Gabal El-Rosas reefs. The abundance and distribution patterns of six fish families (Pomacentridae, Labridae, Acanthuridae, Chaetodontidae, Serranidae and Scaridae) were descripted over different habitats at study sites in Marsa Gabal El-Rosas. Some families (Pomacentridae and Serranidae) showed increasing at outer reefs rather than inner reefs; while the others not shows obvious pattern. The dominant trophic guilds in Marsa Gabal El-Rosas reefs were Planktivores, invertebrate-fish feeders, and to a lesser extent, piscivores. Planktivores, invertebrate-fish feeder and herbivores were the most dominate trophic categories at study areas.

Keywords