Fish Assemblages in Abandoned Ponds and Waterways Surrounding Brackish Water Aquaculture Ponds in Panay Island, the Philippines

Abstract

Fish assemblage structure in abandoned ponds and waterways in Panay Island, Philippine, were investigated and compared with those in mangrove fringed habitats. Juvenile and small resident fishes were collected using a seine net set along the beach, creeks, waterways and abandoned culture ponds. Sampling stations were characterized by the absence or presence of mangrove vegetation. Fish diversity was higher on beaches and in creeks with mangroves and in creeks without mangrove compared with abandoned ponds and waterways. Gobiidae was the most diverse species group, being abundant in most stations. More species of juveniles occurred in mangrove habitats and river banks than in abandoned ponds and waterways. However, fish abundance and biomass were not clearly different between stations. The results suggest that fish diversity decreases in areas with culture pond constructions, but these still provide habitat for gobies and juveniles of a few other species.