Composition and distribution patterns of deep water fish communities in Hawaii

A porthole view from a manned submersible in the mesophotic zone. There are extensive Leptoseris corals and a variety of colorful fish, as well as a roving predatory trevally © University of Hawaii, Hawaii Underwater Research Laboratory / Terry Kerby

Do the shallow reef fish communities extend to mesophotic depths? Who bumps elbows in the twilight zone with the commercially important snapper species?

Relatively little is known about the underwater world below typical scuba diving depths. This includes mesophotic depths,100 to 500 feet beneath the surface, the furthest that sunlight can penetrate the ocean. It also includes the twilight subphotic depths above the dark, deep ocean. Researchers have examined fish species between 100 and 1,000 feet in waters of the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean.

Chromis verater found in the lower mesophotic zone (59–129 m). - photo © Keoki Sender

However, until recently, researchers had not yet examined the fish over this entire depth range in Hawai?i. In a study published today in Marine Ecology Progress Series, our scientists shed some light on those fish communities in the deeper and darker ocean zones surrounding Hawai?i.

Odontanthias fuscipinnis found in the upper rariphotic zone (130–169 m). - photo © Richard Pyle / Bishop Museum

For this study, we used underwater cameras, trawls, and manned submersibles. We collected more than 24,000 observations between 100 and 1,345 feet deep. We used our observations of more than 125 families and more than 520 species to characterize the fish communities. We found that species composition changed greatly with depth. As light diminished, herbivorous fish dropped out and planktivorous fish became more abundant.

Grammatonotus ambiorthus found in the mid rariphotic zone (170–239 m) - photo © Hawaii Underwater Research Lab

We identified six depth zones with distinct fish communities:

• Two in the mesophotic zone (30-59, 60-129 m).
• Three in the "rariphotic" or twilight zone (130-169, 170-239, 240-320 m).
• One at the upper end of the bathyal zone (320-410 m).

Antigonia eos, found in the lower rariphotic zone (240–319 m). - photo © Hawaii Underwater Research Lab

This research informs ecosystem-based fishery management, where there is concern for fishery-targeted species as well as their habitat and prey. Among our observations were large schools of small planktivorous fish that form the middle of the food chain. These are likely a tasty treat for the commercially important snapper species. We also saw many large predatory species such as scorpionfish, eels, and sharks.

Symphysanodon maunaloae found in the deeper rariphotic zones all the way down to the dark waters of the upper bathyal zone (170–409 m). - photo © NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

This indicates that they have enough food to survive in these deeper habitats. Certain dolphin and pelagic fish species forage at multiple depth zones, as well. This research suggests that different strategies may be appropriate to manage the unique characteristics of these distinct faunal zones.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center conducted this research in collaboration with the University of Hawai?i at Manoa Oceanography Department, Drazen lab, and the Hawai?i Underwater Research Lab.