Changes in Fish Larvae Indicators in Khark and Kharko Coralline Islands

Survey of fish larvae abundance, diversity and distribution was carried out in different habitats of Khark and Kharko coralline islands and islets from July 2006 to June 2007 over 12 stations. Khark and Kharko ecosystems are protected areas and wildlife refuges in northern point for fringing coral reefs in Iranian side of the Persian Gulf. This investigation was a part of the national Integrated Coastal Zone Management project to have been carried out during 2006-2008. Sampls of fish larvae were collected using Bongo- Net plankton sampler with 500μ of mesh size every month in 12 stations. Selected stations located around the Islands with maximum depth of 20 m. In total, 1808 larvae belonging to 45 families were collected among which Clupeidae, Blenniidae, Atherinidae, Sillaginidae and Tripterygiidae were the most frequent families comprising 69% of total samples, respectively. The highest abundance was observed in spring, similar to other fish larvae abundances reported from other parts of Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Clupeidae and Sillaginidae were indicators in warm and cold periods, respectively. The mean abundance of total fish larvae in Khark and Kharko was 18.7083 per 10 m² of sea surface. Distribution patterns of indicator fish larvae families were mapped using GIS.