Fishes of a restored mangrove habitat on Key Biscayne, Florida

An investigation of the ichthyofauna inhabiting the restored mangrove wetlands of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida, was conducted during consecutive wet and dry seasons. Twenty-eight locations were sampled using seines. Measurements of water quality, depth and benthic plant coverage were also taken. A total of 25 fish taxa were found: the most frequently occurring were the epibenthic species goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio), yellow fin mojarra (Gerres cinerus) and rainwater killifish (Lucania parva). Seasonal differences in frequency of occurrence were restricted to three fishes: rainwater killifish, great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus). Fish diversity (taxonomic richness) among the oldest mangrove habitats was significantly higher than among more recently planted habitats. Most of the fish-habitat correlations examined were weak; however, those with water temperature, depth and dissolved oxygen were significant. The presence of the subadult gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), luestriped grunt (Haemulon sciurus) and sailors choice (Haemulon parra) indicates that the area may be functioning in support of species with fisheries value.