Karl-Bouwmeester, Björn L.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Ontogenetic migration and growth of french grunt (Teleostei: Haemulon flavolineatum) as determined by coded wire tags
(2005-12) Karl-Bouwmeester, Björn L.; Appeldoorn, Richard S.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Hensley, Dannie; Yoshioka, Paul; Aponte, Nilda; Department of Marine Sciences; Ojeda, Edgardo
The early life history of grunts was studied using mark-recapture techniques. Juvenile fish (Haemulon flavolineatum) were tagged with coded wires and the effects of tagging were investigated in controlled tank experiments. Results indicate monthly survivorship (0.96) and retention (≥0.87) are high and growth is unaffected by the tags. In the field, movements between juvenile schools were determined to be directional and individually determined. It is hypothesized that movement is initiated by antagonistic and territorial behavior. Large-scale movements were not observed, but subadult fish moved seaward to the adjacent reef front. Growth data covered a wider range of sizes than previously studied, yielding a robust estimation of growth. Estimates for L∞ and k of the von Bertalanffy growth equation were 28.323 cm (FL) and 0.166; respectively, t0 was not determined. Observed and modeled growth suggest grunts remain in the back reef and school for a period of two years. Averaged daily growth was determined to be 0.0151 cm FL/day for small juveniles (7-12 cm) and 0.0063 cm FL/day for larger juveniles (≥10cm).