c. Jetty Fishes 
(1). Species Composition 
A list of the fish species observed or collected near the 
jetties is presented in Table 9. Many of the species were found only 
in the gill nets placed on sand bottom near the jetties, and it is likely 
that most of those fishes would have been captured even if the jetties 
were not present. Even so, jetties are known to serve as excellent 
artificial reefs, increasing both the abundance and diversity of 
ichthyofauna in areas where they are present (Hastings, 1972, 1978; 
Hurme, 1979). 
A large number of fishes were observed on or near the jetty rocks 
while scuba diving. The two species most frequently seen were the 
crested blenny (Hypleurochilus geminatus) and black sea bass 
(Centropristts striata). Both species are commonly associated with 
reefs (Parker et al., 1979; Powles and Barans, 1980; Middleditch, 1981), 
and black sea bass are recreationally as well as commercially important 
in South Carolina waters. The majority of C. strtata seen on the jetty 
rocks were juveniles, suggesting that this species is utilizing the jetties 
as a nursery ground. Other recreationally important species frequently 
encountered around the jetties included sheepshead (Archosargus 
probatocephalus), Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber), spotted 
seatrout (Cynoseton nebulosus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), mullet 
(Mugil sp.) and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). 
(2). Food Habits 
Data on the food habits of selected fishes is presented 
in Table 10. With the exception of black sea bass which were easily 
captured, it was somewhat difficult to obtain sufficient specimens for a 
thorough analysis of diets. Even so, the analysis of fish stomachs 
indicated that those species of most recreational importance are utilizing 
the jetty biota as food. 
Black sea bass consumed primarily decapods and small fish which were 
common on the rocks. The two major species consumed (by volume) were the 
small crab Weopanope sayt and the crested blenny (Table 10). Other 
important food items included amphipod, isopod and polychaete species 
which were commonly found on the rocks (Appendices F and G). Decapods 
and small fishes are also important in the diet of black sea bass found 
in offshore hard bottom reefs of the South Atlantic Bight (Sedberry and 
Nimmich, In press). 
Spadefish mainly consumed a different component of the jetty prey 
community based on stomach content analysis (Table 10). Primary food 
items appeared to be the sessile, colonial forms such as sponges, hydroids, 
bryozoans and algae. Amphipods were also important in the diet of spade- 
fish, but most amphipods eaten were those commonly found on the colonial 
taxa, such as Caprella spp. Therefore, it is possible that amphipods 
were only incidentally consumed during feeding on the sessile biota. 
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