Spatial and temporal distribution of larvae of coral reef fishes in northern Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

The larval community of coral reef fishes in the Red Sea was studied in coastal and offshore sites to determine the effects of the exposure to waves and currents and the distance from the shore in structuring the larval fish community. Plankton sampling from inshore and offshore sites and the exposed and sheltered sides of the reefs resulted in the collection of 2048 larvae representing 49 different fish taxa belonging to 11 orders and 36 families of fish. The overall density of fish larvae at all sites was calculated as the larvae numbers in 1000m-3 and there was a significant difference in larval density between sites and months. Most larvae were collected in the warmer months of the year from May to August. The inshore sheltered site (H3) is significantly different from all other sites in having the highest density with 2824 larvae 1000 m-3, whereas the inshore exposed site had the lowest density of all sites (621 larvae 1000 m-3). Number of species varies significantly among sites. Data of the seasonal and regional occurrence of fish larvae obtained from the present work could be very valuable for fisheries management. It also gives an idea about how larval stages of reef fish are distributed in regard to the reef topography and the distance from the shore.