The Summer Standing Crop of Fish on a Shallow Bermuda Reef1

Abstract

Repeated estimates of reef fishes by visual counts were made on a shallow isolated Bermuda reef with a surface of approximately one hectare (2.5 acres). A standing crop of 490 kg was found in midsummer. Comparisons between the fish fauna of this reef and more extended reef areas indicate that carnivorous reef fishes predominate on isolated reefs, while herbivores become more prevalent on large browsing areas. Available information on the yearly growth rates of Bermuda reef fishes suggests a relatively high overall efficiency of utilization of incident solar energy ( ca. 0.0014%). The similarity of isolated reefs to ponds is discussed.