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Brassy chubs Kyphosus vaigiensis display unexpected trans-island movement along inshore habitats

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Abstract

Large herbivores such as kyphosids on coral reefs are drivers of ecosystem resilience by grazing on macroalgae and providing space for coral growth. These fishes also support recreational shore fisheries and are commonly targeted for food by fishers in the tropics. Yet, little is known about their habitat utilization and movement among inshore habitats. Movement patterns of brassy chubs Kyphosus vaigiensis were investigated using passive acoustic telemetry methods along the coastline of Hawaii Island. Of particular interest, two individuals displayed unexpected trans-island movement throughout estuarine and coastal habitats, which respectively traveled 311 km and 37 km from their release site. The movement behaviors of these two individuals are highly uncharacteristic among most shore fishes, and shift our understanding of movement ranges of herbivorous shore fishes with implications for adaptive management of multiple shore fisheries resources.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank C. Meyer (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology) for his generosity in sharing valuable data and information, and for his critical review of this manuscript. The authors also thank B. Carmen, R. Martin, D. Kuamo‘o (Division of Aquatic Resources) and B. Yoshida (volunteer) for their assistance in the field, K. Peyton for her critical review (Division of Aquatic Resources), and M. Hind and the Kiholo community for their logistical support. This study was conducted according to principles detailed in Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (American Fisheries Society), and in the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training. Funding was provided in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Program, Statewide Marine Research and Surveys Grant No. F17R.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii, 1160 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA

    T. S. Sakihara, L. K. Nishiura, T. E. Shimoda, T. T. Shindo & R. T. Nishimoto

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  1. T. S. Sakihara
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  2. L. K. Nishiura
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  3. T. E. Shimoda
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  4. T. T. Shindo
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  5. R. T. Nishimoto
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Correspondence to T. S. Sakihara.

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Sakihara, T.S., Nishiura, L.K., Shimoda, T.E. et al. Brassy chubs Kyphosus vaigiensis display unexpected trans-island movement along inshore habitats. Environ Biol Fish 98, 155–163 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0245-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0245-8

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