A study on the occurrence and distribution of coral reef fishes along Cuddalore fish landing center, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Ornamental fishes are fascinating beauties and they have been attracting people from time immemorial. Coral reef fishes from the trawl by-catch landings were collected from Cuddalore fishing harbour from January to December 2019. The data were approached to various statistical methods available in PRIMER (ver. 6.) and Origin Pro (ver. 7.5). In the present study, a total of 61 species belonging to 26 families and 42 genera were recorded. During the study period, Labridae were dominated with 9 species, Tetraodontidae, Serranidae, Lutjanidae and Chaetodontidae formed second dominant group with each in 5 species. Pomacanthidae and Acanthuridae came next in the order with 3 species followed by 2 species in Muraenidae, Ostraciidae, Balistidae, Monacanthidae, Scorpaenidae, Diodontidae and Mullidae family. 1 species from Plotosidae, Synodontidae, Holocentridae, Fistularidae, Apogonidae, Scatophagidae, Nemipteridae, Ephippidae, Carangidae, Pomacentridae, Scaridae and Zanclidae were recorded each family. Findings of the study reveal that, selected sitessupports relatively rich assemblage of reef fishes and most of the species are plentiful in distribution thereby offering immense scope for the export and growth of aquarium trade in the country. Further the fishing community along the Cuddalore coast could deploy some trap methods to catch this coral reef fishes in live conditions for trade.