Objective:

To form a taxonomic list of the larvae of fish that were found in the water column of the coral reef of La Azufrada, Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), in the period between 2017 and 2019, accompanied by a classification by the type of habitat occupied by the adult species and the state of development in which the larva was found.

Scope:

To increase knowledge about the richness of early stages of development of marine fish associated with coral formations in the Colombian Pacific.

Methodology:

during two annual sampling campaigns (March and September) From 2017 to 2019, day and night zooplankton were collected in 9 sampling stations arranged on the coral reef of La Azufrada on Gorgona Island using a bongo net with a mesh size of 300 and 500 microns. In laboratory, all fish larvae were separated from zooplankton samples and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Results:

4779 fish larvae were caught, 88 species belonging to 46 families were identified. 41 species were first recorded for this locality, increasing the record to 162 taxa. The most abundant families were Engraulidae, Bregmacerotidae, Haemulidae, Myctophidae and Carangidae, the assembly dominated by the pelagic-coastal species (Bregmaceros bathymaster), the pelagic species (Cetengraulis mysticetus) and the bathpelagic species (Diaphus pacificus).

Conclusion:

The scientific knowledge about the assembly of fish larvae present in the coral reefs of the Colombian Eastern Tropical Pacific is increased, information that will strengthen conservation actions and strategies for this strategic ecosystem.

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