1
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
2
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
Abstract
The fish assemblages of different habitats in Sharm El-Maiya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea, were
examined by visual census technique. Fish communities were estimated for each different habitat (coral
patches, seagrasses, muddy substrate and coral reefs). A total of 155 fish species representing 98
genera were counted. Coral reef habitat had the highest number of species (146 species), while the
muddy habitat had the lowest number (6 species). The highest average abundance was recorded at coral
patch habitat (1014 fish/1000 m3), with the lowest value at muddy habitat (64 fish/1000 m3). Most
individuals belonged to the Mullidae, followed by the Pomacentridae, Chaetodontidae, Labridae,
Serranidae and Acanthuridae. The highest diversity of fishes was recorded on the coral reef areas. This
habitat has nearly all fish families (36 families). Sparidae and Mullidae were more abundant at seagrass
habitats inside the Sharm El-Maiya Bay more than other habitats. Corallivores were less abundant at
the seagrass and muddy habitats than on fringing coral reefs and coral patches. In general, both the
herbivores and invertebrate-feeder fishes are the most abundant in the Sharm El-Maiya Bay. They
represent 42.2 % of total fish population in the study area.
Alwany, M., Hanafy, M., Kotb, M., & Gab-Alla, A. (2007). Species Diversity and Habitat Distribution of Fishes in Sharm El-Maiya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea. Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(1), 83-90.
MLA
Magdy Alwany; Mahmoud Hanafy; Mohammed Kotb; Ali Gab-Alla. "Species Diversity and Habitat Distribution of Fishes in Sharm El-Maiya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea". Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2, 1, 2007, 83-90.
HARVARD
Alwany, M., Hanafy, M., Kotb, M., Gab-Alla, A. (2007). 'Species Diversity and Habitat Distribution of Fishes in Sharm El-Maiya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea', Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(1), pp. 83-90.
VANCOUVER
Alwany, M., Hanafy, M., Kotb, M., Gab-Alla, A. Species Diversity and Habitat Distribution of Fishes in Sharm El-Maiya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Red Sea. Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2007; 2(1): 83-90.
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