Diversity and seasonal changes in the ichthyofauna of rocky tidal pools from Praia Vermelha and São Roque, Santa Catarina

Abstract

A survey of the tidal pool fish community was carried out between April 1998 and May 1999, at the beaches of Praia Vermelha (PV) and São Roque (SR), Santa Catarina, Brazil. The pool of PV was bigger and closer to the subtidal. Specimens were collected monthly at low tide, using quinaldine. In PV we collected 1287 fish belonging to 19 species and in SR 553 fish were caught corresponding to 11 species. In both pools, dominant species were Bathygobius soporator (Gobiidae), Abudefduf saxatilis (Pomacentridae), Parablennius pilicornis (Blenniidae), Gobiesox barbatulus (Gobiesocidae), Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Labrisomidae) and Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae). Summer months had higher abundance and diversity values, and correspond to a recruitment season for both A. saxatilis and E. marginatus.