Habitat Preferences and Spatial Distribution of the Cryptobenthic Fish Assemblages around the Gokceada Island (North Aegean Sea)

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to assess the spatial distribution and habitat preferences of the cryptobenthic fish assemblages around the Gokceada Island, where no study on these species were previously conducted. A total of 51 quadrats of 1 m(2) were applied to 12 sites at the depths of 0-15 m in June, August and October 2017. The cryptobenthic fishes were studied by anaesthetic sampling. A total of 187 cryptobenthic fish specimens of 23 species were observed and 111 of them were obtained. The results showed that the 0-1 m depth zone is dominated by the blennies and shows greater density than 1-15 depth zone, where gobies are outnumbered. The average abundance of cryptobenthic fish was 3.7 individuals/m(2) and Gobius incognitus represented 21% of all individuals. Among the studied species, Parablennius incognitus and P. zvonimiri were only found within 0-1 m, preferring rocky substrates with short thallus algae. Coryphoblennius galerita was found on bare rocky surfaces, mostly in 0-1 m depth interval and Microlipophrys canevae preferred rocky surfaces with short thallus algae covers in as well very shallow waters. While Lepadogasterlepadogaster preferred the depths between 3-5 m, L. candolii was observed in a wider depth range (1 and 6 m).