Poissons de Takapoto

Abstract

In spite of a geomorphological facies of closed atoll, Takapoto has an ichthyological fauna relatively rich, when compared to some other French Polynesia atolls. Approximatively 170 fish species belonging to 39 families have been counted in the lagoon. This fauna is generally rather poor in individuals, except for some species. Amongst them, three parrotfishes (Scarus harid, S. ghobban, S. sordidus), three mullets (Crenimugil crenilabis, Chelon vaigiensis, Mugil cephalus), three butterflyfishes (Chaetodon auriga, C. ulietensis, C. lunula), two damselfishes (Pomacentrus pavo, abudefduf coelestinus) and a remora (Echeneis naucrates) were very common. More as in the Scilly's lagoon, it has been noted the presence of a relatively large population of Lethrinus miniatus, original feature for a closed atoll. It seems that seasonal variations in the fish density and distribution can occur, changing the above pattern. There was apparently no ciguatera in the lagoon at the survey moment. On the other hand, some species fished outside the barrier reef, including primarily parrotfish, snappers, groupers and jacks, can be toxic for man, as confirmed by biochemical studies.