Abstract:

Sargassum-associated juvenile fishes were collected in 2011 in the northern Gulf of Mexico with a plankton purse seine and neuston net. Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) juveniles were removed from the samples, then measured, weighted and aged (using dorsal spine) for a manuscript and for inclusion in a Grey Triggerfish SouthEast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR). Data were collected on two different cruises in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The first cruise was the AL-11-08-Sarg-06 onboard the R/V Alabama Discovery on 2011-08-18 and the second cruise was the WI-11-09-Sarg-10 onboard the R/V E.O. Wilson on 2011-09-23. The chief scientist for both cruises was Sarah Muffelman.

Suggested Citation:

Hernandez, Frank and Sean Powers. 2018. Length, weight and age of juvenile Grey Triggerfish collected from R/V Alabama Discovery cruise AL-11-08-Sarg-06 on 2011-08-18 and R/V E.O. Wilson cruise WI-11-09-Sarg-10 on 2011-09-23 in the Gulf of Mexico. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7W66JCC

Purpose:

Time-sensitive data were collected during the peak of the Sargassum occurrence in the northern Gulf of Mexico to address the following objectives: 1) determine the areal extent and distribution of Sargassum in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico during the 2011 summer season; 2) determine the relationship between Sargassum patch size and species richness and density for planktonic and pelagic fish and invertebrates at multiple life stages; and 3) quantify via stable isotopes and diet analysis trophic linkages within the Sargassum food web.

Data Parameters and Units:

Cruise Name, Collection date (Month, Day, Year), Location of collection (Latitude, Longitude in decimal degrees), Gear (Neuston or Purse Seine), Fish ID #, Total Length (TL in mm), Standard Length (SL in mm), Wet Weight (g), Number of dorsal spine annuli, Calendar Age (years), Fractional Age (decimal). The blank cells mean the spine was damaged or otherwise not suitable for ageing.

Publications:

Jefferson, A. E., Allman, R. J., Pacicco, A. E., Franks, J. S., Hernandez, F. J., Albins, M. A., … Drymon, J. M. (2019). Age and growth of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) from a north-central Gulf of Mexico artificial reef zone. Bulletin of Marine Science, 95(2), 177–195. doi:10.5343/bms.2018.0025

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