Fish Nursery Grounds Research Articles

Decoupling carry-over effects from environment in fish nursery grounds

Life-history trait expression not only depends on the current environmental constraints, but also on the past ones that shaped traits expressed earlier in life. Such an effect, named carry-over, can occur in fish nursery grounds when juvenile performances after settlement are influenced by their larval traits in combination with conditions experienced in nurseries. To date, the impacts of environmental and human stressors on post-settlement traits have been assessed, but independently from larval traits, so that the contributions of environmental versus carry-over constraints remain unquantified. Here, we used a reconstructive approach based on otolith microstructure to investigate how carry-over and environment affect life-history traits of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax. In the northeast Atlantic Ocean, seabass juveniles were collected in six French estuarine nursery areas with contrasted environmental conditions (water temperature, salinity, food availability, and anthropogenic impacts), and five of their life-history traits across ontogenetic stages were measured (pelagic growth, larval duration, size at settlement, post-settlement growth and body condition). Piecewise structural equation model emphasized the strong co-variation of larval traits in response to food availability and temperature in the pelagic environment, stressing that fast growing larvae are characterized by shorter pelagic larval duration, but larger size at recruitment. However, the magnitude of carry-over effects greatly varied between traits, revealing that larval trait impacts on post-settlement traits remained minor as compared to the nursery environment. In estuarine nurseries, our findings suggest that resource allocation results from a trade-off between somatic growth and energy storage. Fish juveniles exposed to anthropogenic stress or risk of food limitation tended to predominantly invest in storage, whereas individuals in favourable conditions allocated their resources in somatic growth. These findings highlight the importance of heterogeneity in pelagic and nursery environments in understanding trait variations and population dynamic of estuarine dependent fish.

Fish Assemblages in Subtidal Seagrass Meadows Surrounding the West Sand, South China Sea

Both beach seine (BS) and line transect-based underwater visual census (UVC) methods were applied to investigate fish assemblages of the West Sand (Xisha Islands, South China Sea) seagrass meadows and their relationship with seagrass coverage. The West Sand seagrass meadows were divided into four survey areas, two (areas A and B) to the north and two (areas C and D) to the south. The average seagrass coverages (%) in the north were significantly higher than those in the south (p < 0.05). The dominant seagrass species is Thalassia hemprichii, contributing to over 70% substrate coverage in all four areas. A total of 843 individuals from 25 fish species belonging to 22 genera, 11 families, and ten orders were recorded, with five species obtained by both BS and UVC methods. The labrids Halichoeres trimaculatus and Stethojulis strigiventer were the only two species that dominated (index of relative importance IRI > 500) in both BS and UVC methods. Fish assemblages among the four areas were significantly different (BS, p = 0.002; UVC, p = 0.002); area A was significantly different from areas B−D (p < 0.05), which was mainly driven by the variation in H. trimaculatus density. Furthermore, fish assemblages of the four areas (abundance data) revealed by both BS (r2 = 0.8455) and UVC (r2 = 0.9354) methods showed high correlation with the seagrass coverage. The majority of the individuals (>93%) recorded by BS and UVC methods were shorter than the total length at maturity (TLm), with 80.36 and 46.13% of individuals less than half the sizes of their TLm, respectively. Our results, for the first time, proved the importance of seagrass meadows at the West Sand as fish nursery grounds. The ecological roles of seagrass habitats in South China Sea merit further investigation.

Management of aquatic plants and their contributions to fisheries production in Ikere-Gorge, Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria

Aquatic plants are important in freshwater ecosystems. They provide food, shelter, spawning and nursery grounds for fish. They are usually found at the littoral parts of freshwater ecosystems. The abundance, distribution and diversity of aquatic plant of Ikere-gorge, Iseyin, Nigeria were examined between January 2017 and December 2018. There are twelve fishing villages in Ikere-gorge and four villages were randomly selected. Aquatic plants were sampled and collected with the help of hired fishermen. The collected aquatic plant samples were identified at the Forest Herbarium of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria with appropriate keys. This work identified 13 families and 23 species of aquatic plants. Cyperaceae family recorded the highest (4) number of individual species while Salvinia molesta had the highest abundance in all the sampling sites. The ecological classification of the aquatic plants showed that 14 species are emergent; 7 species floating and 3 species submerged. Site C had the most abundance (9220) of aquatic plants, followed by site D (8490), site B (8130) and site A (7940). The gamma (γ) and beta (β) diversities were 23 and 0.01 respectively. The alpha (α) diversity included Dominance (0.08), Simpson (0.92) and Shannon-Wiener (2.72) respectively. These results show that Salvinia molesta and Najas guadalupensis are the most and least abundant aquatic plants in Ikere-gorge respectively; which may be due to their ecological status. Moreover, management of aquatic plants is an integral part of fisheries management for sustainable fisheries. Therefore, their management is essential for the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.
 Key words: aquatic plants, diversity, emergent, floating, submerged

Pelagic Fish Eggs Diversity in the Nearshore Waters of Gulf of Mannar, South East Coast of India

Background: A study of the diversity, distribution and development of fish eggs and larvae as an integral part of a fishery research programme serves as a valuable aid in the proper management of fisheries. The study is also an essential prerequisite in understanding the spawning biomass of forecasting and trends of production. Information available on diversity of fish eggs from Indian waters is inadequate. The present study was conducted to understand the diversity and distribution of pelagic fish eggs in the nearshore waters of Gulf of Mannar. Methods: The present study conducted at three stations-Mandapam, Thoothukudi and Punnakayal in the waters of Gulf of Mannar, during 2017-2019. A total of 684 ichthyoplankton samples were collected. In the laboratory, the samples were sorted and identified. The diversity was calculated by Shannon-Weiner, Margalef richness index and Pielou’s evenness indices. All the diversity indices were done by using the PRIMER-E software. Result: Our investigation was taken up with objective to assess the status of pelagic fish eggs diversity in the nearshore waters of Gulf of Mannar and found to be more productive. From the diversity study, it is evident that the Punnakayal waters are habitat for a rich diversity of fish species and also a spawning and nursery ground for fishes. Fish eggs diversity is significant for management of fishery resources.

Long term survey of the fish community and associated benthic fauna of the Seine estuary nursery grounds

Estuaries are crucial ecosystems where human activities deeply affect numerous ecological functions. Here we present a survey dataset based on the monitoring of fish nursery grounds of the Seine estuary and eastern bay of Seine collected once a year using a beam trawl during three distinct periods (1995-2002, 2008–2010 and 2017–2019). The surveys happen at the start of autumn in order to maximize the catchability of juvenile fish. The beam trawl mainly targets benthic and demersal species on a study area that extends over 600 square kilometers. The dataset includes abundance and densities of 161 species for 634 hauls performed around 40 stations each year. These data can be used by fishery scientists and ecologists motivated by early life stages of commercial species or by the impact of human disturbances, such as harbor developments, on estuarine communities.

Preliminary assessment of sheltered sandy beaches as fish nursery grounds along the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea

Preliminary assessment of sheltered sandy beaches as fish nursery grounds along the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea

Juvenile fish caging as a tool for assessing microplastics contamination in estuarine fish nursery grounds.

Estuaries serve as nursery grounds for many marine fish species. However, increasing human activities within estuaries and surrounding areas lead to significant habitat quality degradation for the juveniles. In recent years, plastic pollution has become a global environmental issue as plastic debris are found in all aquatic environments with potential adverse impacts on marine biota. Given the important ecological role of estuaries and implications of microplastics (MP) in ecosystems, here we assess the occurrence, number, size, and polymer types of MP ingested by wild and caged juvenile European flounder (Platichthys flesus). We deployed caged fish for 1month at five sites in three estuaries in the eastern English Channel. The Seine estuary, heavily impacted by manmade modifications and one of the most contaminated estuaries in Europe, was compared to two smaller estuaries (Canche and Liane) less impacted by industrial activities. We found that juvenile flounders (7-9cm) were vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Seventy-five percent of caged fish and 58% of wild caught fish had the presence of MP items in their digestive tract. Fibers (69%) dominated in the fish's digestive tract at all sites. An average of 2.04 ± 1.93 MP items were ingested by feral juvenile flounder and 1.67 ± 1.43 by caged juvenile flounder. For the caged fish, the three sites impacted by wastewater treatment plant (Liane, Le Havre harbor, and Rouen) were those with the highest percentage of individuals that has ingested MP items. Most of the isolated items were fibers and blue in color. Polymers identified by micro Raman spectroscopy were polycaprolactam, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane. Although other environmental factors may have affected caged fish condition and mortality, we found no significant correlation with the number of ingested MP. However, the high occurrence of MP ingested by juvenile fish on nursery grounds raises concerns on their potential negative effects for fish recruitment success and population renewal. Finally, this study describes, for the first time, the feasibility of using caged juvenile fish as an assessing tool of MP contamination in estuarine nursery grounds.

Water masses and oceanic eddy regulation of larval fish assemblages along the Cape Verde Frontal Zone

Abstract Converging water masses and mesoscale eddies shape habitats for larval fish assemblages in upwelling ecosystems. In the Canary Current Upwelling Ecosystem, two water masses, the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) and the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) converge. The resulting Cape Verde Frontal Zone (CVFZ) is located off the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, an important nursery ground for fishes. We investigated the impact of two converging water masses and a mesoscale anticyclonic eddy on the composition and distribution of larval fish assemblages during an upwelling event. Two distinct larval fish assemblages allowed for the reconstruction of water mass distributions along the CVFZ. While the distribution pattern of Dicologlossa cuneata covered the shelf area in the North by NACW characteristics, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Bathylagoides argyrogaster, Hygophum macrochir, and Notoscopelus resplendens were almost exclusively observed in the offshore area in the South with SACW characteristics. This emergence of a dichotomy in larval fish assemblages was facilitated by the CVFZ and the mesoscale anticyclonic eddy, which retained fish larvae in SACW offshore. Coastal geostrophic currents on the other hand transported fish larvae from the North southward in NACW towards the Banc d'Arguin. The coastal geostrophic currents abetted an onshore surface water flow of upwelled water masses. This process facilitated a phytoplankton bloom on the Banc d'Arguin and possibly enabled a larval transport towards suitable nurseries. Our results have profound implications regarding the comprehension of hydrographical processes that govern the dispersal and retention of fish larvae. Our findings further shed light on the establishment of assemblages and the habitat expansion of fish larvae in upwelling ecosystems.

Do the shallow‐water habitats of a hypersaline tropical estuary act as nursery grounds for fishes?

AbstractFish assemblages were studied in a hypersaline tropical estuary in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 104 species were collected by beach seine during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012. Two families, Atherinopsidae and Gerreidae, were numerically dominant in all zones of the estuary; juveniles of Atherinella brasiliensis, Eucinostomus argenteus, Lile piquitinga, Ulaema lefroyi, Lutjanus analis and Sphoeroides greeleyi contributed 77% of the total catch. The factors that best explained the fish abundance pattern were salinity and depth, which were related to spatial segregation. Species richness was lowest in the upper zone, an area with high salinity and shallow depth. The distinct roles of structurally different habitats (submerged macrophyte beds and mangrove prop‐roots) and the influence of physicochemical conditions in the middle zone of the estuary may influence taxonomic diversity. The middle zone of the estuary is the one most attractive to juveniles of reef species (Lutjanidae and Serranidae). The fish assemblages are clearly dominated by marine estuarine dependent species, highlighting the importance of the ecosystem as a nursery ground for marine species of the Brazilian coast.

Demersal Fish and Shrimp Abundance in Relation to Mangrove Hydrogeomorphological Metrics

Previous studies have found positive correlations between mangrove forest extent and fisheries yield but none of these univariate relationships provide a reliable estimate of yield from mangrove area. This study tests the hypothesis that the nursery ground value or natural production of fish and shrimps is related to the hydrogeomorphology settings of mangrove forests by using multivariate redundancy analysis (RDA). The hydrogeomorphological metrics of five mangrove forests imaged by satellite were measured using Geographical Information System (GIS). The RDA indicated that the metrics, including mangrove area, multiple waterways and creeks, mangrove-river interface, waterway surface area and sediment organic matter, influenced the diversity and abundance of fish and shrimps. Larger values of these metrics increase the abundance of economically important fish species of the families Lutjanidae, Haemulidae, Serranidae and economically-important penaeid shrimps. Sediment organic matter also significantly correlates with the distribution and abundance of fish that feed off the bottom such as the Leiognathidae, Clupeidae and Mullidae. Mangrove forests with combinations of large mangrove area, river surface area, high stream ordering and longest mangrove-river interface will provide greater role as nursery grounds for fish and shrimps.

Potential use of marinas as nursery grounds by rocky fishes: insights from four Diplodus species in the Mediterranean

The construction of marinas along the shoreline has caused substantial habitat destruction within the sheltered coastal areas previously used as nursery grounds by many fish species. However, although the negative ecological impacts of these constructions have been reported extensively, their potential roles in the functioning of the coastal zone remain largely unknown. Here, we surveyed the juveniles of 4 Diplodus species in 5 marinas located along the French Mediterranean coast to assess whether rocky fishes can successfully settle inside these artificialized coastal areas. Inter-specific differences in the spatiotemporal use of the various artificial habitats provided by marinas were investigated between April and August over 2 consecutive years. We also tested the potential benefit of pegging additional artificial habitats (Biohuts) on docks and pontoons to increase their value as fish nursery grounds. Our results suggest that although variations in marina and artificial habitat preferences exist between species, Diplodus juveniles repeatedly colonize marinas. Their average abundances on added Biohut habitats were twice as high as on nearby bare surfaces. This suggests that increasing the complexity of the vertical structures of marinas can considerably enhance their suitability for juvenile rocky fishes, especially at the youngest stages, when mortality is highest. Therefore, as long as marina water quality is well controlled, ecological engineering within these man-made habitats might reduce the ecological consequences of urban development by providing suitable alternative artificial nursery grounds for rocky fishes.

A low-cost drone based application for identifying and mapping of coastal fish nursery grounds

Acquiring seabed, landform or other topographic data in the field of marine ecology has a pivotal role in defining and mapping key marine habitats. However, accessibility for this kind of data with a high level of detail for very shallow and inaccessible marine habitats has been often challenging, time consuming. Spatial and temporal coverage often has to be compromised to make more cost effective the monitoring routine. Nowadays, emerging technologies, can overcome many of these constraints. Here we describe a recent development in remote sensing based on a small unmanned drone (UAVs) that produce very fine scale maps of fish nursery areas. This technology is simple to use, inexpensive, and timely in producing aerial photographs of marine areas. Both technical details regarding aerial photos acquisition (drone and camera settings) and post processing workflow (3D model generation with Structure From Motion algorithm and photo-stitching) are given. Finally by applying modern algorithm of semi-automatic image analysis and classification (Maximum Likelihood, ECHO and Object-based Image Analysis) we compared the results of three thematic maps of nursery area for juvenile sparid fishes, highlighting the potential of this method in mapping and monitoring coastal marine habitats.

THE BIODIVERSITY OF NURSERY GROUND IN SWAMP AREAS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVE THE BLACK FISHES IN THE WETLAND

Fish nursery grounds are important for the life cycle of fishes and often these areas are not particularly well studied or the processes understood in Sumatra. On December 2014, The blackfishes in swamp ecosystem of South Sumatera consist of Channa striata, Clarias batrachus, Anabas testudineus, Trichogaster trichoterus, Polyacanthus hasselti, Rasbora argyrotaenia, Betta taeniata, Betta anabantoides, Monopterus albus, Notopterus notopterus, Trichogaster pectoralis, Trichogaster leeri, Oxyeleotris marmorata and Helostoma temmincki.. This observation is constitute first record of blackfishes in Sumatra. Keywords: First, nursery grounds, blackfishes, observation, sumatra.

Effects of hydrographic conditions of ponds on juvenile fish assemblages in the Kakum mangrove system, Ghana

The importance of mangrove ecosystems as nursery grounds for fishes is well established and documented. This paper reports on the possible role of hydrographic dynamics in the selection and utilization of tropical mangrove ponds as nursery habitats for juvenile fishes of ecological and commercial importance. The study was conducted in the Kakum River Estuary mangrove ecosystem near Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana during the peak of the monsoon season. Fish assemblages were sampled using a cast net and a pole seine. Aspects of hydrographic conditions of the ponds were studied. A total of 265 fish specimens, belonging to 18 species and 12 families were sampled. The commonest fish was the blackchinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron, a typical brackish water fish in West Africa, which accounted for 66.4% of the total fish sampled. Ten of the 18 species belonging to 7 families, namely Elops lacerta, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Porogobius schlegelii, Gobionellus occidentalis, Mugil bananensis, Liza falcipinnis, Epinephelus sp., Serranus accraensis, Penaeus notialis and Callinectes amnicola were of marine origin. Spatial and temporal variations in the prevailing hydrographic conditions appeared to influence the fish species composition, density and size classes to varying degrees. Changes in salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and pond size correlated significantly with abundance of juvenile fish. Major fluctuations in fish species composition occurred on a weekly basis with changing pond depth and volume, indicating the dynamic nature of mangroves ponds that may serve the ecological needs of different species over time. Smaller juvenile fishes seemed better adapted to high variations in hydrographic conditions compared to larger juveniles. Higher fish densities and lower species diversity were encountered when the ponds were shallow compared to deep ponds. The utilization of mangrove tidal ponds as nurseries by juvenile fish may therefore be influenced primarily by the salinity and pond size.

REVISITING MALAMPAYA SOUND IN PALAWAN AS THE PHILIPPINES' FISH BOWL: INTERVENTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

This social study revisits the crucial issue of low and declining catch in Malampaya Sound, a 245 km2 estuary located along the northwestern part of the Municipality of Taytay, Province of Palawan. The Malampaya Sound, often dubbed as the “fish bowl of the Philippines,” houses three important ecosystems -mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs - that serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish and other aquatic life. These ecosystems are assessed in the study area. The methods used in the assessment include field observations, focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and household interviews. Results indicate that the overall perceived condition of its 802-hectare (ha) mangrove forest is fair due to on-going wood harvesting for charcoal making and house repair. Generally, its 211 ha seagrass bed is disturbed while around 1,632 ha of coral reefs are in poor condition. The rampant use of illegal and destructive fishing methods by non-resident fishers were perceived by respondents as the main cause of habitat destruction. While majority of local fishers use hook and line, fishing pressure in Malampaya Sound is critically high with a density of 23 fishers/km2. In effect, fishers are experiencing a 60-80% decrease in catch during the last three years. The challenge is to reverse the declining trend in fisheries productivity of the Sound's rich ecosystems. Sustainable harvesting of fishery resources and protection of coastal habitats are seen as critical programs along with countryside enterprise development involving support fund from government and private institutions.

Turbid wakes associated with offshore wind turbines observed with Landsat 8

In the last decade, the number of offshore wind farms has increased rapidly. Offshore wind farms are typically constructed in near-shore, shallow waters. These waters can be highly productive or provide nursery grounds for fish. EU legislation requires assessment of the environmental impact of the wind farms. The effects on hard and soft substrate fauna, seabirds and marine mammals are most frequently considered. Here we present Landsat-8 imagery that reveals the impact of offshore wind farms on suspended sediments. Turbid wakes of individual turbines are observed that are aligned with tidal currents. They are 30–150m wide, and several km in length. The environmental impact of these wakes and the source of the suspended material are still unclear, but the wake size warrants further study. The underwater light field will be affected by increased suspended sediments and the turbid wakes could significantly impact sediment transport and downstream sedimentation. The question of whether such features can be detected by other remote sensors is addressed by a theoretical analysis of the signal:noise specification for the Operational Land Imager (OLI), the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR/3), the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI), the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Multispectral Instrument (MSI) and by a demonstration of the impact of processing OLI data for different spatial resolutions.

Importance of the upper estuary as a nursery ground for fishes in Ariake Bay, Japan

To examine the importance of the upper estuarine areas of Ariake Bay as a nursery ground for fish, assemblages of larvae and juveniles were compared among various aquatic habitats. The upper estuaries of the bay (the Rokkaku and Hayatsue estuaries) are brackish, highly turbid waters with high tidal velocities, and differ substantially from the Isahaya area, which has been separated from the bay by a man-made dike, to the middle estuary (the Kikuchi estuary). Abundances of larvae and juveniles were higher in the estuaries than in the open bay and Isahaya areas. Abundant species in the upper estuaries were similar to each other, but differed from those of the middle estuary. This was primarily due to larvae and juveniles of fishes that occurred almost entirely in the upper estuaries, such as Acanthogobius hasta, Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, Coilia nasus, Cynoglossus abbreviatus, Nibea albiflora, Odontamblyopus lacepedii, Trachidermus fasciatus and Tridentiger barbatus. These results suggest that the upper estuaries play an important role as nursery grounds for fishes.

The Fish Community of an East African Mangrove: Effects of Turbidity and Distance from the Sea

Mangroves are often reported as nursery grounds for fish. Fish may enter mangroves in order to avoid predators, but may not need to do so if turbidity provides a sufficient predator refuge outside the forest. This study assessed the effects of turbidity in the field and laboratory on mangrove fish community structure and behaviour. The extent to which fish penetrate into mangroves has received little attention. This study also looked at differences in fish community structure at mangrove sites near (6m) and far (200m) from the mangrove/sea boundary. Twelve field samples were taken at approximately monthly intervals from replicate 25m2 landward and seaward plots, in a Sonneratia alba stand at Gazi Bay, Kenya. A total of 25 species of fish were caught, 15 in seaward plots and 13 in landward ones. Mean abundance for all plots and sampling times was 2.15 (equivalent to 0.09 m-2). Seaward plots had a total mean abundance more than twice that of landward plots (2.75 ± 1.9 S.D. vs. 1.23 ± 0.33 S.D. respectively). There was no relationship between abundance and turbidity. Laboratory experiments showed no significant changes in behaviour of three common species in response to turbidity. The low density of fish recorded concurs with previous work, and probably reflects conditions in Gazi Bay as a whole, rather than unusual features of the mangrove environment there.

The coral reef crisis: The critical importance of

Temperature-induced mass coral bleaching causing mortality on a wide geographic scale started when atmospheric CO2 levels exceeded ∼320ppm. When CO2 levels reached ∼340ppm, sporadic but highly destructive mass bleaching occurred in most reefs world-wide, often associated with El Niño events. Recovery was dependent on the vulnerability of individual reef areas and on the reef’s previous history and resilience. At today’s level of ∼387ppm, allowing a lag-time of 10years for sea temperatures to respond, most reefs world-wide are committed to an irreversible decline. Mass bleaching will in future become annual, departing from the 4 to 7years return-time of El Niño events. Bleaching will be exacerbated by the effects of degraded water-quality and increased severe weather events. In addition, the progressive onset of ocean acidification will cause reduction of coral growth and retardation of the growth of high magnesium calcite-secreting coralline algae. If CO2 levels are allowed to reach 450ppm (due to occur by 2030–2040 at the current rates), reefs will be in rapid and terminal decline world-wide from multiple synergies arising from mass bleaching, ocean acidification, and other environmental impacts. Damage to shallow reef communities will become extensive with consequent reduction of biodiversity followed by extinctions. Reefs will cease to be large-scale nursery grounds for fish and will cease to have most of their current value to humanity. There will be knock-on effects to ecosystems associated with reefs, and to other pelagic and benthic ecosystems. Should CO2 levels reach 600ppm reefs will be eroding geological structures with populations of surviving biota restricted to refuges. Domino effects will follow, affecting many other marine ecosystems. This is likely to have been the path of great mass extinctions of the past, adding to the case that anthropogenic CO2 emissions could trigger the Earth’s sixth mass extinction.

Habitat utilization by fishes in a shallow, semi-enclosed estuarine bay in southern Gulf of Thailand

One hundred and eight fish species were collected between March 2003 and February 2004 from 11 study sites in Pattani Bay, southern Gulf of Thailand. The catches consisted primarily of juveniles or adults of small-sized fishes, indicating that the bay was important as nursery ground for fishes. Of the 43 families, Leiognathidae (43.3% contribution), Centropomidae (15.2%), Siganidae (13.8%), Engraulidae (10.3%), Atheriniidae (6.9%), Clupeidae (4.8%) and Ariidae (3.1%) were dominant in the catch. Significant differences were found in relative abundance and species richness between both sampling sites and months. The sampling sites were clearly defined by fish community into four different habitats that were directly related with the bottom structure of each site. The 30 most dominant fish species were categorized according to habitat preference into five different groups. Some species exhibited preference for specific habitats, whereas others were distributed throughout the bay. Seasonally, fish community structure revealed four different recruitment and occurrence periods, which were February to April, May to September, October and November to January, which was partially related to local monsoonal seasons. Analysis of the 30 most dominant fish species demonstrated that they were clustered into six different seasonal groups, with some showing a clear preference for specific months, although many recruited and occurred throughout the year. Results of this study help to clarify the ranges of habitats, months and seasons used by a number of fish species found in tropical coastal habitat.