Composition and distribution of Serranidae in main coral reef waters of South China Sea

During March to May 1998 and May to June 1999, two fishery resource survey cruises were carried out in twelve main coral reef waters of South China Sea, Langhua reef, Huaguang reef, Shenhang island, Yongxing island, Bei reef, Zhubi reef, Nanxun reef, Dongmen reef, Meiji reef, Chigua reef, Yongshu reef and Huayang reef using three fishing methods, namely hand line, long line and gill net. The catch of Serranidae fish was 942 individuals weighted 256.4 kg, including 25 species in 6 genera. A part of Serranidae was caught in the investigating area of Nansha Islands, including 22 species 641 individuals weighted 205.5 kg in 6 genera, and other part was caught in the investigating area of Xisha Islands, including 14 species 301 individuals weighted 50.9 kg in 6 genera. The dominant species included Cephalopholis urodelus, Epinephelus merra, E.hexagonatus and E. fasciatus in Nansha Islands, C. urodelus, E.hexagonatus, E. fasciatus and E.merra in Xisha Islands, gradually. In addition, the paper analyzed biological property of C. urodelus, E. hexagonatus and E.merra.