iHE caribbea:; arfa 



Distribution ; — The Caribbean area offers a number of distinct types of habitat for 

 fishes. These may vary as to temperature and salinity of water, as to the type of bottom, 

 depth of the -water, and other factors. 



The following habitat groupings are more or less artificial, and there is probably 

 some overlap. There is included a partial list of the kind of fishes which may be encount- 

 ered in each. Repetition in the lists is due to the fact that seme groups have species living 

 in several habitat types 



Lagoons and estuaries: — 



The salinities are fresh, brackish, hypersaline, but seldom normal. Tanperatures 

 have a wide vaxdation. The turbidity varies widely, usually there is heavy sedimentation. 

 The bottom is mud, sometimes sand. Food conditions are good (cnstacea, small fish, and 

 insects are available). Oxygen is usually deficient. The lagoons and. estuaries are ofoen 

 surrounded by mangrove swami) areas. They may or may not have a permanent entrance to sea. 

 Usually, there is fresh water entering as creeks or rivers. 



Principal types 



tarpon snooks sawfish shrimp 



mullet mojarras gars oysters 



grunts groupers sole threadfins 



anchovies snappers crabs herrings 

 gobies 



These areas, in general, may be considered quite productive of fish. Nutriment for 

 fishes is usually available in the form of aujuatic vegetation and animals. These areas are 

 often nursery grounds for young fish and they are admirable for this purpose. They are 

 usually shallow and qxiite protected fi^m heavy seas so fishing may be carried on easily at 

 almost any time. In dryer regions, or where there is a very definite rainy and dry season, 

 salinities vary greatly, fro:ii practically fresh to hypersaline. Thus, the lagoons and 

 estuaries may have great stores of fish during some seasons when conditions are good, but 

 they may be populated by relatively few species and individuals under extreme conditions. 

 While some lagoon areas, such as the Unare in Venezuela, are fished quite heavily and pro- 

 duce large amounts of fish, others such as the Caratasca in Hondiiras, are practically 

 unutilized. Since there are extensive lagoon and estuary areas in the Caribbean and since 

 these are relatively good production areas, increased yields can be expected fro.a them. 

 With intelligent control, the yield can be sustained. Since many of the species occurring in 

 these habitats are migratory in a limited sense, they may appear in catches from other habitats. 

 Perhaps, the best example of this are ir the cases of snook, mullet, and tarpons. 



Open beaches to about five fathoms: — 



Salinities are more regular than in the lagoons and estuaries but subject to changes 

 due to rain and outwash fro;a lamd. Also, temperatures are less variable than in the lagoons 

 and estuaries. Turbidity may be more pronounced due to wave action. The boLtom is usually 

 sand, coral, rock, or possibly mud. Food conditions are not as good as in the lagoons and 

 estuaries. Oxygen is usually in high concentrations due to wave action. Less shelter is 

 found in these areas than in the lagoons and estuaries. There may be reefs, rocks, or sandy 

 or muddy shoals in the foreshore. 



Principal types 



croakers pompanos silversides flounders 



bianpers porgies lizard fish - moonfish 



seabass grunts anchovies rays 



sheepshead gobies herrings butterfish 



spadefish snook mullet barracuda 



blennies tarpon bonefish clams 



pliers sharks harveatfish mussels 



jacks sardines needlefish 



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