Marine Fish

Abstract

The expected diversity of Pacific marine fishes found in waters between 0 and 200 m depth off the mainland of Costa Rica and the oceanic island Isla del Coco is greater than 800 species. The Costa Rican Caribbean ichthyofauna totals somewhat more than 600 species. Fishes new to science or new to the region are constantly being found in Central American waters wherever intensive collecting takes place. Habitats are diverse and some species apparently have spotty or limited geographic distributions. The broad outlines of lower Central American fish biodiversity are presented, although additions to this fauna are continually being made.