Underwater observations of reef fish in and around Algoa Bay

A checklist of 45 teleost and four elasmobranch species observed during SCUBA dives on subtidal reefs in and around Algoa Bay is presented. Ten species (seven sparids, two cheilodactylids and a chaetodontid) were recorded on more than 50% of the dives with Boopsoidea inornata, Spondyliosoma emarginatum, Diplodus sargus capensis, Pachymetopon aeneum and Sarpa salpa the most abundant species. Juveniles of 25 species were noted. Species diversity and variability in reef ichthyofauna is commented upon from observations from repetitive dives at one locality. © 1989 Taylor & Francis Ltd.