Abundance, diversity and distribution of coral reef fish families in the Egyptian Red Sea, at Hurghada, Egypt

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the coral reef fish community structure in Egyptian Red Sea waters, at Hurghada diving sites and the variations in abundance and diversity according to different seasons and depths. Twelve diving sites were selected to represent the variety of diving places around Hurghada. The current area covers about 720 km2 including the coastal strip of Hurghada, the near shore islands and submerged reefs. Results recorded 47 species of coral reef fishes that belong to 24 genera of 8 families (Chaetodontidae: 10 species; Pomacentridae: 9 species; Acanthuridae: 6 species; Holocentridae: 5 species; Balistidae: 5 species; Pomacanthidae: 5 species; Serranidae: 3 species and Scaridae: 4 species). The total abundance of coral reef fishes in the study area during the period of study was 74859 individuals. Deshet El-Daba diving site has the highest diversity (41 species) of the coral reef fishes and Umm Gamar Island has the highest fish abundance (8160 individuals), while Banana Reef diving site has the lowest diversity (28 species) and lowest fish abundance (1967 individuals) of coral reef fishes. The present result indicated that there are variations in both of coral reef fish diversity and abundance during different seasons, different diving sites and different water depths of the studied diving sites.