Reef Assessment using Chaetodonts

Today we conducted a relative assessment of two reefs based on the species richness (number of species) of the family Chaetodontidae. The chaetodonts are butterflyfish and bannerfish and can be used as a surrogate for total reef fish species.  The students memorized the local fauna of 30 possible species during the fall semester course in preparation for today's activity. We dove a poorly managed reef and one that Andrew thought was in good condition.

Here's the back of the dive boat as Natalie and Mikayla jump in off the right side.

Maria, Natalie, and Mikayla (back to front) with slates in hand marking down which chaetodont species they see in the damaged reef.

Mikayla scanning the reef.

Maria, Natalie, and Mikayla.

We came across a sunken dive boat and couldn't help but leave a message.

Jordan.

Adam.

Shanon.

A small bit of sea floor with lots of small damsel fish.

Maria at the sunken dive boat.

We saw lots of anemones with their symbiotic anemonefish.

We saw a large school of yellowtail barracuda.

Today's objectives were species of chaetodonts. Here is the latticed butterflyfish.

Triangular butterflyfish.

A large porcupinefish swam by to investigate what we were doing.

Manoj.

 More anemonefish.

Adam and Manoj (back to front).

Rip butterflyfish.

M - I - Z….