An assessment of habitat use by larval fishes in a warm temperate estuarine creek using light traps

Habitat use by larval fishes was investigated in a tidal creek of the Swartkops estuary, South Africa, during a trial study using light traps. A total of 12 fish families represented by 28 species were recorded during October and November 2000. Fishes caught were predominantly in a postflexion stage of larval development although preflexion larvae and some early juveniles were also recorded. The distribution of larval fishes indicated that fishes were influenced by proximity to either channel or littoral regions of the creek rather than showing specific preferences for eelgrass covered areas. Estuary-dependent marine species were caught in higher numbers along the margins of the estuary. Length frequencies of both estuary-resident and estuary-dependent marine fishes showed that larger individuals were found in the littoral regions suggesting active migration of these fishes to the margins. Catches of straggler marine species were higher in the channel areas and showed no difference in size distribution between littoral and channel sites. Estuary-dependent species may be using marginal areas as a means of avoiding high flow in the channel and as a predator avoidance mechanism. Light traps were found to be a useful sampling device for localized studies on the early life stages of fishes in an estuary.