Coastal marine fish biodiversity along the western coast of India

Abstract

This paper presents distribution records of 184 fish species surveyed in rocky reef habitats on the west coast of India. Surveys were completed in situ by SCUBA diving. Twelve species appear to be new records for India based on previous literature including Fishbase. These are in the families Apogonidae, Pempheridae, Cirrhitidae, Pomacentridae, Acanthuridae, Balistidae, Monocanthidae, and Ostraciidae. Most fish species for which there are IUCN assessments were in the Least Concern category. However, one species was Endangered, two species Vulnerable, and three species Near Threatened. Several Data Deficient species were also recorded, which presents opportunities for research to strengthen conservation.