Drift algae and small fish in coastal waters of northeastern New Zealand

Abstract

A number of species of fish were more abundant around drift algae than in open water (eg representatives of Monacanthidae, Arripidae, Emmelichthyidae, Syngnathidae, Clinidae, Tripterygiidae). Some small fish were abundant in surface waters and showed no association with drift algae (eg representatives of Tripterygiidae, Clupeidae, Engraulididae, Pleuronectidae, Bothidae). Abundance of total drift algae at nearshore and offshore stations was highly variable. Seasonal peaks in abundance of Sargassum sinclairii were found from November-January and appeared to relate to the demography of this species. Most clumps of drift algae were <100 g. Input of drift algae to reef environments is extremely variable among times and may relate to detachment of algae from reefs and conditions that facilitate onshore movements of drift from coastal waters. Fish were quickly attracted to algae left to drift in coastal waters for under 8 h. -from Author