CORAL REEF FISH COMMUNITY AT PULAU BIDONG, TERENGGANU, SOUTH CHINA SEA

Abstract

Reef fishes are among the main constituents of coral reef ecosystems and an indicator of ecosystem health. The aim of this study is to determine the species occurrences of coral reef fish at Pulau Bidong, which is in the South China Sea off the east coast state of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Fish surveys were conducted from May to July 2018 using the visual census technique during SCUBA dives around the island. A total of 30 families, 61 genera and 101 species of coral reef fishes were identified. This indicates considerably high fish diversity and reflects the good condition of the reefs. Of the species identified, 65 % were reef-associated, 12 % were pelagic-oceanic and the rest (23 %) appeared to be found in both zones. The fish species were classified according to social behaviour (territorial, gregarious and nocturnal), feeding habits (carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous, planktivores, corallivores and invertebrate consumers) and IUCN Red List status (endangered, near threatened, vulnerable and data deficient). Of all the fish identified, 67±2 % were recorded either at Karang Tengah, Batu Payung or Dinding Laut — reef sites with considerable benthic structural complexity. Such reefs, with complex underwater features that attract a variety of fish species, are particularly important areas of Pulau Bidong and may provide an ecological baseline data that is useful for research and conservation management.