Freshwater Fishes of Tetepare Island - Western Solomons Research ...

Freshwater Fishes 

of 

Tetepare Island 

Western Province 

Solomon Islands 

Aaron P. Jenkins & David Boseto 

2007

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This report on the freshwater fishes of Tetepare would not have been possible without the 

support of the Tetepare Descendents Association (TDA), Mr. Alan Tippet-Bero, Mr. 

David Boseto, Mr. Patrick Pikatcha, the Tetepare rangers, the CUSO volunteers and 

research sponsors, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional 

thanks to Dr. Alison Haynes for support with snail identification and Dr. Helen Larson, 

Dr. Doug Hoese and Dr. Gerald Allen with fish identification and curation support. 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Tetepare Island is the largest unlogged and uninhabited lowland rain-forest island in the South 

Pacific. In September 2006, Wetlands International-Oceania and University of the South Pacific 

researchers led the first survey of the freshwater fish fauna of Tetepare. Fifteen 150 m sections in 

four rivers and two lakes were sampled for fresh water fishes and water quality. A total of 797 

individuals representing 60 species, 46 genera and 29 families of fishes were collected or 

observed. We consider this fauna to contain five undescribed species endemic to the Solomon 

Islands (Schismatogobius sp., Sicyopterus sp., Stiphodon sp., Stenogobius sp., unknown Gobioid). 

Of these country-level endemics, three species are only so far known from Tetepare Island 

(Sicyopterus sp., Stiphodon sp., unknown gobioid). The unknown gobioid is highly derived and 

may represent a new family of fishes, however, it appears most closely related to the families 

Gobiidae and Eleotridae and needs further investigation and further specimens collected to 

elucidate its correct taxonomic placement. We did not observe or collect any invasive species 

during the survey. 12 species of snails were also collected from Tetepare freshwaters including a 

new species of Thiarid snail from Bangatu Lake. Tetepare Island freshwater fish fauna appears 

remarkably diverse compared to other related island groups in the near region. 15% of the fauna 

are either restricted to the Melanesian archipelagoes (5%) or only known from the Solomon 

Islands (10%). This component of the ichthyofauna and the unique community composition en 

toto should be considered as a priority for conservation. Size structure, biomass, species 

composition and water quality all suggest high levels of intactness within fish communities rarely 

documented in the region and should be considered a benchmark for island freshwaters of the 

Pacific. The life history strategies of Tetepare fishes can be divided into nine distinct functional 

groupings with the dominant life history strategy, amphidromy, representing 25% of the fishes. 

Life history traits of Tetepare fishes clearly illustrate inextricable ecological links to the ocean 

with all species likely entering ocean or estuarine environments at periods during their lives. 

Specific conservation recommendations are provided, including a strong endorsement for 

Tetepare Island being nominated as a World Heritage site. This report has an accompanying 

volume entitled “Freshwater fishes of Tetepare: a preliminary guide” with full colour pictures of 

all species and diagnostic characteristics.

INTRODUCTION 

Tetepare Island (8 o 45’ S, 157 o 32’ E) is the largest (11, 880 ha) unlogged and 

uninhabited lowland rainforest island in the South Pacific. The customary landowners 

fled the island in the mid -1800’s leaving the isolated island’s terrestrial, freshwater and 

adjacent marine ecosystems largely intact to this day. While a small (375 ha) coconut 

plantation was planted on the western tip of the island between 1907 -1918, this grove 

has largely been reclaimed by the rainforest. Today this island is managed by the 

descendants of the original inhabitants (Tetepare Descendents Association, TDA) for 

purposes of sensitive low-level ecotourism and conservation. A small eco-lodge on the 

island is managed by TDA for accommodating researchers, eco-tourists and local rangers 

(Read and Moseby, 2006). 

While only a few biological studies have been carried out on the island (Hansell and 

Wall, 1976; Diamond, 1976; Dahl, 1980; Gee, 2003; Read & Moseby, 2006) it is 

increasingly clear to all investigators that the island is of international biological and 

conservation significance and should be maintained as such in perpetuity. Numerous 

authors (Diamond, 1976; Dahl, 1980; Lees 1990; Read & Moseby, 2006) have strongly 

recommended the island as crucially important to conservation and worthy of World 

Heritage nomination. To date, botanical (Hansell and Wall, 1976; Keppel, 2007, in 

preparation) and terrestrial vertebrate (Read & Moseby, 2006) surveys have been carried 

out showing a richly diverse lowland rainforest containing at least 25 reptile, 4 frog, 76 

bird and 13 mammal species, many of which are of international conservation 

significance and have important refuge populations on the island. 

In September (9 th -14 th ) 2006, Wetlands International-Oceania and University of the 

South Pacific researchers led the first survey of the freshwater fish fauna of Tetepare by 

invitation of the Tetepare Descendants Association. This paper reports our survey results 

and is designed to assist the TDA and other interested stakeholders appreciate and

appropriately manage the aquatic resources of this unique and increasingly valuable 

island wilderness. 

Figure 1. Sattelite image of Tetepare island showing locations of sampling sites in red. 

Image courtesy of Google Earth. 

SAMPLING METHODS 

Fifteen 150 meter sections in the aquatic habitats of Tetepare were sampled for fresh 

water fishes and water quality. Aquatic habitats sampled and habitat characteristics of 

each site are listed in Appendix 2. A variety of techniques were used to collect fauna 

from the rivers, stream or lakes depending upon the characteristics of the site. 

Approximately 1 hr was spent sampling at each site. The apparatus and techniques used 

were as follows: 

Electro-fishing machine 

A non-commercially available, backpack electro fishing machine operating at 8 Amps 

and 110 Volts of pulsed electricity was used. This apparatus was used extensively in

shallow waters (

In areas that were shallow enough and the water was clear, a mask and snorkel were used 

to observe the benthos and fisheries resources that were not being caught by the nets. 

PRESERVATION 

Voucher specimens were collected, fixed in a 10%formalin solution and transferred to 

70% ethanol solution after 5 days of fixation. Some specimens were stored directly in 

70% ethanol for DNA analysis. As color loss is rapid, accurate preservation of color 

patterns was recorded by photography. Fresh specimens were placed in a portable 

aquarium with some local aquatic vegetation and benthos to enhance the photography. 

Voucher specimens were deposited at the University of the South Pacific 

WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS 

Current speed was measured by floating a plastic lid a measured distance, timing it with a 

stopwatch and dividing distance (m) by time(s). pH, temperature, conductivity and 

salinity were measured using a TPS handheld meter. Turbidity was measured using a 

turbidity tube and given in Nephthalometric Turbidity Units. Location was taken with a 

Garmin 8 hand held GPS. Depth, width and length of reach sampled were measured with 

a waterproof, fiberglass measuring tape. Approximately 1 hr was spent sampling at each 

site. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Diversity of fishes 

A total of 797 individuals representing 60 species, 46 genera and 29 families of fishes 

were collected or observed in Tetepare freshwater habitats (Table 1). At least 14 of these 

species are new records for the Solomon Islands. Currently we consider this fauna to 

contain 5 undescribed species endemic to the Solomon Islands (Schismatogobius sp., 

Sicyopterus sp., Stiphodon sp., Stenogobius sp., unknown Gobioid). Of these countrylevel 

endemics, three species are only so far known from Tetepare Island (Sicyopterus 

sp., Stiphodon sp., unknown gobioid) although they may be more widespread upon 

further survey work given the assumed pelagic larval dispersal phase of these taxa. The

unknown gobioid is highly derived and may represent a new family of fishes, however, it 

is seemingly most closely related to the families Gobiidae and Eleotridae and needs 

further investigation and further specimens collected to elucidate its correct taxonomic 

placement. It is a new genus and a new species of fish thus far only known from Tetepare 

Island. Only one third of the water bodies of Tetepare were sampled and we were only 

able to get to the head waters of the Raro river. Further surveys are likely to yield 

additional species particularly climbing gobies of the genera Lentipes and Sicyopterus. 

Table 1. Fishes collected and observed in Tetepare island aquatic habitat sampling sites. 

FAMILY SPECIES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

Ambassidae Ambassis interruptus 12 12 

Ambassis miops 8 6 3 

Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata 1 2 5 3 2 

Anguilla megastoma 1 2 2 

Apogonidae Apogon hyalosoma 2 

Apogon sp. 8 

Carangidae Caranx papuensis 4 

Decapterus sp. 1 

Scomberoides 

1 

commersonianus 

Chanidae Chanos chanos 16 

Eleotridae Belobranchus cf 

5 6 7 

belobranchus 

Bunaka gyrinoides 3 1 2 2 

Butis butis 5 1 

Butis amboinensis 3 4 2 

Eleotris fusca 10 27 1 7 1 10 10 6 7 4 

Eleotris melanosoma 7 6 4 

Giuris magaritaceous 2 2 1 3 3 

Giurus sp. 8 

Hyseleotris guentheri 5 

Ophiocara 

2 4 2 

porocephala 

Gobiidae Awaous ocellaris 2 2 1 2 

Glossogobius sp 10 2 6 2 2 3 2 

Mugilogobius 

36 

fusculus 

Periopthalmus 1 

argentilineatus 

Redigobius cf 

2 2 

chrysosoma 

Redigobius cf 

1 16 13 1 

bikolanus 

Schismatogobius sp 6 1 1 3 

Sicyopterus 

3 1 5 6 

lagocephalus 

Sicyopterus longifilis 4

Sicyopterus n.sp. 3 9 45 10 

Stenogobius sp. 2 1 

Stiphodon rutilaureus 3 2 13 

Stiphodon n. sp 2 15 

Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus sp. 2 4 

Kuhliidae Kuhlia marginata 6 13 12 12 6 6 12 

Kuhlia rupestris 2 2 2 3 5 

Leiognathidae Leiognathus equulus 1 1 

Lutjanidae Lutjanus 

4 3 3 3 

argentimaculatus 

Lutjanus fulvus 2 2 

Lutjanus fuscesens 4 5 5 

Megalopidae Megalops 

1 

cyprinoides 

Monodactylidae Monodactylus 

1 1 2 

argenteus 

Moringuidae Moringua cf 

1 

ferruginea 

Mugilidae 

Crenimugil 

1 8 9 

crenilabris 

Liza vaigiensis 2 1 2 3 

Muraenidae Gymnothorax 

2 1 1 

polyuranodon 

Ophichthidae Lamnostoma 

1 5 12 19 6 13 

kampeni 

Polynemidae Polydactylus sexifilis 9 

Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus 

8 

aquadulcis 

Rhyacichthyidae Rhyacichthys cf 

5 8 

aspro 

Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus 1 

Scorpaenidae Tetraroge barbata 5 3 2 

Serranidae Epinephalus 

1 2 

polystigma 

Syngnathidae Microphis cf 

1 

brachyurus 

Terapontidae Mesopristes 

2 3 3 5 5 

argenteus 

Mesopristes 

3 4 4 

cancellatus 

Terapon jarbua 3 

Toxotidae Toxotes jaculatrix 1 

Unknown 

Gobioformes 

New gen. n.sp. 1 

Unknown 

Rajiformes 

1 

Like many Indo-Pacific high islands, the fauna is dominated by gobioid fishes, mainly 

members of Gobiidae and Eleotridae, with a single representative of the family 

Rhyacichthidae and the unknown gobioid. This gobioid group is represented by 27 

species or 45% of the entire fauna. Cling gobies of the sub-family Sicydiinae (containing

genera Lentipes, Sicyopterus, Sicyopus and Stiphodon) are particularly prominent and in 

abundance in Tetepare streams as they are in most clear rocky streams in the islands of 

the region. These fishes are called cling gobies because of their “sucking disk” a peculiar 

morphology that is formed by fused pelvic fins and allows these fishes to “cling” to rocks 

in rapid stream flow. En masse migration of oceanic pelagic larvae of these fishes into 

the streams is characteristic of the group and no doubt plays a crucial role in the ecology 

of these water bodies (Keith, 2003). A common practice throughout many Indo-Pacific 

islands is to harvest these “white-bait” as they migrate into river mouths. It is highly 

recommended that to preserve the integrity of these systems that this practice is banned 

from Tetepare Island. 

Most of the non-gobioid fishes are estuarine and marine forms that will inhabit the lower 

to mid reaches of streams and are usually prevented from inland dispersal by the first 

large waterfall. These fishes are a combination of juvenile forms and adult forms that 

will spend periods in fresh water for feeding and breeding as well as migrate between 

habitats. The life history patterns of all Tetepare fishes are discussed below. 

It appears that Tetepare Island, with at least 60 species inhabiting freshwater, has a 

remarkably diverse fauna compared to other related island groups in the near region. For 

example the following locations have yielded these results (species numbers in 

parentheses): Milne Bay Islands, Papua New Guinea (56), Yapen Island, Papua Province 

(48), and Raja Ampat Islands, Papua province (57) (G. Allen, personal communication). 

This high diversity on Tetepare is likely a consequence of the pristine nature of the 

catchments, including the presence of large tracts of largely unaltered lowland rainforest 

and the obvious lack of sustained human harvest of the resources for around a century 

(also see section on Abundance and Biomass). Many of the Sicydiine gobies are 

particularly sensitive to catchment alteration and, with the exception of hardy species 

such as Sicyopterus lagocephalus, will often be absent or sparse in catchments altered by 

logging, tree farming, mining and other deleterious activities (Jenkins, 2007; Argent & 

Carline, 2004; Keith, 2003).

We did not observe or collect any invasive species during the survey. It is absolutely 

vital that no invasive species are allowed on to the island. Species such as Tilapia 

(Oreochromis mossambicus) and Mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.) are already present in 

the Solomon Islands in locations such as Honiara and the lakes on Rennel Island (G. 

Allen, personal communication). These species can drastically change stream ecology 

and cause native species to decline in numbers and potentially become locally extinct 

(Allen, 1991). An explicit ban on introduction of exotic species of fishes (or any other 

taxa) should be enforced for Tetepare Island. 

Note on freshwater snail diversity 

Freshwater snails were also collected during the survey although not systematically. Dr. 

Alison Haynes (University of the South Pacific) identified 12 species of snails from 

Tetepare freshwaters including a new species of Thiarid snail from Bangatu Lake. The 

list of species collected by waterway are listed in Appendix 4. 

Size structure 

Eleven fish species exist in Tetepare freshwaters that were encountered between 20 – 50 

+ cm in length and are a suite of major food fishes from freshwaters and estuaries of the 

Solomons and the wider region. In descending average size encountered, these species 

are (mean size cm SL in parentheses): Anguilla megastoma (54.4), Chanos chanos 

(33.7), Caranx papuensis (30), Scomberoides commersonianus (30), Polydactylus 

sexifilis (29), Anguilla marmorata (28), Lutjanus fuscescens (26.4), Terapon jarbua (25), 

Crenimugil crenilabrus (24.8), Decapterus cf macarellus (23) and Gymnothorax 

polyuranodon (20.5). In the 10 -20 cm size class there are mainly gudgeons (Eleotridae) 

and sub adult forms of other common food fishes including snappers Lutjanus 

argentimaculatus (14.9), L. fulvus (17.5) and grunters Mesopristes argenteus (12.2) and 

M. cancellatus (17.9). Within the smaller size classes are a variety of forms dominated in 

diversity by the family Gobiidae. This size class structure appears to be significant 

because Indo-Pacific island streams that are regularly fished or in degraded catchments 

tend to have around only 2 or 3 species encountered in the top three size classes ( Jenkins 

et al 2006, Jenkins, 2005) generally Anguilla sp., Liza sp. and Caranx sp.

Figure 2. Species richness within six mean size classes 

25 

20 

20 

18 

No species 

15 

10 

5 

0 

11 

8 

2 

1 

0 to 5 5 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 40 40 to 50+ 

Size classes (cm SL) 

Biomass and abundance 

The sites that appear to have the highest biomass of fishes are Lake Bangatu (24 kg/hr), 

which is dominated by Milkfish (Chanos chanos) and Indo-Pacific Tarpon (Megalops 

cyprinoides) and the mouth of the Raro River (22.7 kg/hr) which is dominated by 

migrating Trevally (Carangidae) and Mullet (Crenimugil crenilabrus) (Appendix 3). 

In terms of catch per unit effort, Lake Bangatu is clearly the most productive waterbody 

for fish, yielding over twice the catch of the nearest river, the Raro River (Figure 3). The 

Raro River is the largest on the island and has a deep river mouth and a variety of deep 

pools similar to the Hokata River which is the next most productive.

Figure 3. Mean biomass of fishes sampled per hour in Tetepare water bodies. 

kg/hr +/- se 

30.00 

24.09 

25.00 

20.00 

15.00 

10.00 

5.00 

0.82 

0.00 

-5.00 

Lake Bangatu 

Lake Saromana 

Raro River 

9.59 

7.72 

2.33 

1.11 

Erava River 

Hokata River 

Fiha Creek 

The top ten fishes contributing most to the biomass of Tetepare streams are (total kg 

collected or observed across all sites in parenthases): Chanos chanos (10.7) which was in 

very high abundance in Lake Bangatu and not found elsewhere, Lutjanus fuscescens 

(8.5), Crenimugil crenilabrus (7.2), Kuhlia rupestris (6.2), Polydactylus sexifilis (3.6), 

Anguilla megastoma (2.2), Unidentified Stingray(2.1), Caranx papuensis (2.0), 

Mesopristes cancellatus (1.9) and Megalops cyprinoides (1.3). Full data on estimated 

biomass for all species by site is available in Appendix

Figure 4. Mean number of fishes caught per hour in Tetepare freshwater bodies. 

Mean fishes per hour +/- se 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

49.5 51 

69.25 72 

102 

19 

Lake Bangatu 

Lake Saromana 

Raro River 

Erava River 

Hokata River 

Fiha Creek 

If we examine numerical abundance of individual fishes caught over an hour (Figure 4) 

then the picture emerges with Hokata river as the highest abundance (102 /hr) followed 

by the Erava River (72/hr). In this case, it appears that the Hokata and Erava rivers have 

a higher availability of micro-habitats (eg. Petrified coral heads, instream-logs) compared 

to the other water bodies, allowing for greater numbers of small fishes (particularly 

gobies) to thrive. Three of the top five fishes in terms of abundance collected overall are 

gobiids (Eleotris fusca, Sicyopterus n. sp., R.bikolanus) and the others are the snake-eel 

(Lamnostoma kampeni) and the flagtail (Kuhlia marginata). 

The species that were most commonly encountered during the survey are generally 

widespread forms seen throughout the region. The top seven species in order of ubiquity 

(% of sites encountered in parentheses) are: Eleotris fusca (67), Glossogobius sp. (47), 

Lamnostoma kampeni (40), Kuhlia marginata (40), K.rupestris (33.3), Giurus 

margaritaceus (33.3) and Anguilla marmorata (33.3).

Zoogeography 

Figure 5. Geographical ranges of freshwater fishes of Tetepare. Key: IP – Indo-Pacific; 

AO – Asia, Oceania; IWP – Indo-West Pacific; SIA – Solomon Islands Archipelago; 

AAO – Africa, Asia, Oceania; M – Melanesian Archipelagoes; WP – Western Pacific; 

WCP – West and Central Pacific; G – Cicumglobal 

5% 3%3% 2% 

7% 

10% 

22% 

24% 

24% 

IP 

AO 

IWP 

SIA 

AAO 

M 

WP 

WCP 

G 

Unlike fishes in continental or mainland freshwaters that typically spend their entire life 

cycle in freshwater, Tetepare fishes, like most Pacific Island fishes, mainly have an 

oceanic, pelagic larval phase (see Life history traits section) and therefore are widely 

dispersed. The freshwater fishes of Tetepare are, broadly speaking, a complex containing 

mainly fishes ranging across Asia and the Oceanic Indo-Pacific. Specifically, almost a 

quarter (24%) of the fauna range over the Indo-Pacific, a further 24% range over Asia 

and Oceania and 22% range over Indonesia and the Western Pacific. Small components 

of the fauna are confined to either Western Pacific (3%) or West and Central Pacific 

(3%). Other small components of the fauna are very widely dispersed across Africa, Asia 

and Oceania (7%) or occur circumglobally (2%). This leaves 15% of the fauna that are 

either restricted to the majority of Melanesian archipelagoes (5%) or only known from 

the Solomon Islands (10%). These components of the fauna are important to highlight 

for conservation as they are unique components of the Melanesian region. Another

consideration is that the island has its own unique mix of species that may rarely be seen 

elsewhere. It is this unique community composition en toto that should be considered a 

priority for conservation. 

Life history traits and faunal connectivity 

Figure 6. Life history strategies of Tetepare Fishes. Key: A-Amphidromous; EM – 

Estuarine migrant; COB – Catadromous obligate; COP – Catadromous opportunist; FS – 

Freshwater straggler; FM – Freshwater migrant; MM – marine migrant; MS – Marine 

straggler; U-unknown 

Life history strategies of Tetepare Fishes 

MS 

3% 

U 

MM 3% 

7% 

COP 

8% 

A 

25% 

FM 

12% 

FS 

12% 

COB 

13% 

EM 

17% 

The life history strategies of Tetepare fishes can be divided into nine distinct functional 

groupings that, in general, are similar proportionately to most high islands of Melanesia 

(Jenkins, 2007 SCB). The dominant life history strategy is amphidromy representing 

25% of the fishes. Amphidromous fishes spawn in freshwater, the hatched larvae pass to 

sea and juveniles return to freshwater often en masse. This life history trait is 

functionally distinct to anadromy where mature adults return to freshwater (eg. Salmon) 

(McDowell, 2004). The species in Tetepare that are amphidromous include gobiids from

the genera Awaous, Eleotris, Glossogobius, Schismatogobius, Rhyacichthys, Sicyopterus, 

Stiphodon, the Terapontid genera Mesopristes and the Ophichthid eel Lamnostoma. 

The next largest functional grouping is the estuarine migrants (17%) which are estuarine 

spawners with a marine larval phase and/or migration between the estuary and adjacent 

aquatic habitats. This group of fishes includes the gobiid genera Periopthalmus, Butis, 

cardinalfishes of the genus Apogon, ponyfishes of the genus Leiognathus, the moonfish 

genus Monodactylus and the grouper Epinephelus polystigma. The next largest grouping 

are the catadromous obligates (13%) which spawn at sea and juveniles and/or sub-adults 

must access freshwater. This group contains freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla, the 

freshwater moray Gymnothorax polyuranodon, the milkfish Chanos chanos, flagtails of 

the genus Kuhlia and gobies of the genus Redigobius. The next grouping (12%) are 

freshwater stragglers that spawn in freshwater and enter estuaries only briefly if 

conditions favourable (eg. calm, low salinity conditions). This grouping contains the 

gobiid genera Mugilogobius, Belobranchus, Giurus, the pipefish genus Microphis and the 

Damselfish Neopomacentrus aquadulcis. The next grouping is the freshwater migrants 

(12%) that spawn in freshwater and are present in freshwater and estuaries throughout the 

year. This group contains the eleotrid genera Bunaka, Ophiocara, the glass perchlets of 

the genus Ambassis, the snapper Lutjanus fuscescens, the scat Scatophagus argus and the 

scorpianfish Tetraroge barbata. 

The following group are catadromous opportunists (8%) which exhibit facultative 

catadromy. This group are sea spawners, the juveniles and/or sub-adults access 

freshwater when available with only a proportion developing in freshwater and the 

remainder developing in an estuarine environment. This group contains the snappers 

Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lutjanus fulvus, the Indo pacific tarpon, Megalops 

cyprinoids, the grunter Terapon jarbua and the mullet, Liza vaigiensis. The smallest two 

groups are marine migrants (7%) and marine stragglers (3%). Marine migrants are 

euryhaline, spawn at sea, occur in high numbers and extensively use the estuary as 

juveniles and/or adults. This group contains jacks, Caranx papuensis, Scomberoides 

commersonianus, Decapterus sp. and the mullet Crenimugil crenilabrus. Marine

stragglers are also euryhaline, spawn at sea, occur in small numbers and usually only in 

lower reaches of rivers or estuaries. This group includes the worm eel Moringua cf 

ferruginea and the threadfin Polydactylus sexifilis. In the final grouping we are unsure of 

the life history strategy and this is represented by the unknown gobiid family. 

If we consider collectively, life history strategy, physiological and morphological 

limitations and occurrence records of the Tetepare fishes we can divide them into 

functional groups based on the range of habitats they could potentially occur across (ie. 

Cross-system connectivity). If we assume that many of the amphidromous fishes can 

reach headwaters if no major waterfalls are present (we didn’t observe any over a few 

meters in height) then we can divide the fishes into five range groups: 32 % of the fauna 

will range between the ocean and the lower tidal reaches of streams, 29% will be able to 

range from the ocean up to the headwaters, 22 % will range from the ocean to the mid 

reaches, 18% will range from estuary to mid reaches and 16% will range only between 

the estuarine habitat and lower reaches of streams. This clearly illustrates inextricable 

ecological links to the ocean with all species likely entering ocean or estuarine 

environments at periods during their lives. It also points to the fact that around 30% of 

the fauna can potentially range the full length of the catchments and out to sea across 

different life stages. This, again, illustrates the high level of cross system connectivity 

within this fish fauna. 

Much of the invertebrate fauna also observed were freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium 

sp), shrimp species (Palaemon sp., Caridina sp.) freshwater snails (Neritidae, Thiaridae) 

and freshwater crabs (Varuna sp.), all of which are amphidromous, highly migratory 

species and can traverse the expanse of the catchment during their lives. If we were to 

look at percentages of all aquatic fauna with a high degree of connectivity across a range 

of habitats, then the level of inter-habitat connectivity will be even higher than for fishes 

alone.

Degree of Intactness 

Tetepare Island rivers, streams and lakes are remarkably intact in terms of size structure, 

density of fishes, catch per unit effort, species composition and water quality. For 

anecdotal comparison, we can compare results of this study to three previous studies done 

using the same methodology in heavily utilized rivers and streams of the Fijian 

archipelago and a Papua New Guinean saline lake (Jenkins, 2005; Jenkins et. al, 2006, 

WI, unpublished data). Firstly, it is salient that the freshwater bodies of Tetepare have 

high numbers of large, food-sized, fishes. In the Kubuna River in Viti Levu, Fiji (which 

has undergone catchment alteration from pine plantations, sugar cane farming and heavy 

resource utilization by 3 villages) fishes in the 30 – 50 cm size class were entirely absent 

and only two species (2 individuals) were found within the 20 -30 cm size class (Jenkins, 

2005). In comparison, Tetepare’s Raro River, of roughly equivalent size, yielded 19 

fishes (3 species) in the 30 – 50 cm size class and 28 fishes (8 species) in the 20 -30 cm 

size class. Approximately 23 times as many larger (20 – 50 cm), food-sized, fishes were 

collected in the Raro than the Kubuna with almost identical fishing effort. This is one 

clear anecdotal illustration of the unharvested nature of Tetepare water bodies. 

Also, if we examine density of fishes, the Kubuna River has a mean of 4.4 fishes/ 100 m 2 

whereas the Raro River has a mean of 10.2 fishes/ 100 m 2 . There is approximately 2.3 

times higher density of fishes in the Raro than in the Kubuna River. In another study of 

five rivers in Macuata, Fiji (Jenkins et. al. 2006) the large Dreketi catchment, also 

impacted by logging, sugar cane farming and heavy village utilization, yielded only 1988 

g/hr in river mouth samples versus 22678 g/hr in the mouth of the Raro in Tetepare. This 

represents an 11.4 times greater catch per unit effort in the Raro River compared to the 

degraded Fijian river. If we examine the results from a gillnet survey in a peri-urban, 

heavily utilized, saline lake in Madang, Papua New Guinea (Kranket Lake), the catch per 

unit effort is approximately 818 g/hr (unpublished data) whereas the result from an 

equivalent effort and gear type in the un-fished Lake Bangatu in Tetepare is 24087 g/hr. 

This result indicates a 29 times greater catch per unit effort for the lake in Tetepare.

Species composition can also reflect the degree to which catchments have been degraded. 

In Indo-Pacific islands, in particular, many of the smaller gobies from the sub-family 

Sicydiinae are sensitive to catchment alteration and will be in severely reduced numbers 

or absent from degraded catchments (Keith, 2003; Jenkins, 2007). Again, using the 

comparison of the Kubuna River to the Raro River, the Kubuna River had only 2 species 

(Sicyopterus lagocephalus and Sicyopus zosterophorum) (4 individuals) only observed in 

the faster moving side tributaries. The Raro River possessed 5 species (S.lagocephalus, 

S.longifilis, S.n.sp, Stiphodon rutilaureus, S.n.sp) (87 individuals) for an equivalent 

sampling effort. 

Some of the water quality characteristics also shed light on the degree of intactness of the 

Tetepare water bodies with respect to habitat for fishes. The most telling characteristic is 

the very high levels of dissolved oxygen in Tetepare rivers with a mean of 8.2 mg/l 

across all sites. Again, comparing to the degraded Kubuna River in Fiji which averaged 

around 3.3 mg/l (Jenkins, 2005) or to the five catchments in Macuata, Fiji (Jenkins et.al, 

2006) (mean 5.1), the dissolved oxygen is exceptionally high. Also, if we examine 

turbidity, the mean of Tetepare rivers is well below 10 NTUs on average compared to the 

Kubuna and Macuata rivers with means of 13 and 17 NTUs respectively. All of the other 

water quality parameters measured for Tetepare are well within the range to support a 

high diversity and abundance of freshwater fish life. 

These measurements and comparisons provide some anecdotal evidence of the level of 

intactness of Tetepare freshwater bodies. The size structure, density, species composition 

and catch per unit effort of fishes in Tetepare reflects both the lack of harvesting and the 

high quality of the water habitat, in turn a function of the unaltered nature of the 

catchments. 

CONSERVATION AND FURTHER STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS 

• In terms of representative catchment intactness, unique species composition, high 

species diversity, endemism and abundance of fishes, Tetepare is of international

and regional significance and should be seriously considered for World Heritage 

and/or Ramsar nomination. 

• The high level of aquatic faunal connectivity between freshwaters and nearby 

marine areas demonstrates the need to approach conservation of Tetepare from a 

holistic, ecosystem – based management framework. 

• No exotic species of fishes are currently present in Tetepare. An explicit ban on 

introduction of exotic species of fishes (or any other taxa) should be enforced for 

Tetepare Island. 

• The intactness of Tetepare is a benchmark for freshwater systems on tropical 

islands of the Indo-Pacific. This benchmark status should be promoted and further 

understood through longer term ecological studies on the island. Elements of 

ecosystem function (eg. Species, migratory routes) now lost from related island 

ecosystems could potentially be restored if understood in an intact form. 

• Preservation of a high degree of intactness will require catchments to remain 

undeveloped and uninhabited and that harvest of river fishes be entirely restricted 

or, at very least, very carefully managed with clearly articulated size limits, bag 

limits and gear restrictions (eg. Derris root fishing should be entirely banned, 

harvest of “white-bait” migrations into rivers should be entirely banned). 

• In stream, three dimensional structure created by fallen trees, hanging vegetation 

and other natural processes should not be removed. 

• Current monitoring on Tetepare of coral reef health and turtle nesting could be 

augmented with stream monitoring of water quality and in-stream faunal 

abundance. 

• Further study is needed of the remaining water bodies of Tetepare, in particular 

the headwaters which will likely yield additional fish species. 

• Systematic surveys of freshwater invertebrate species will likely yield new unique 

species and further highlight the conservation importance of Tetepare Island.

References 

Allen, G.R. 1991. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea. Christensen 

Research Institute. 268pp 

Argent and Carline, 2004, Fish assemblage changes in relation to land use disturbance. 

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 7(1):101–114. 

Atherton, J.,Olson, D.,Farley L. & I. Qauqau. 2005. Fiji watersheds at risk: watershed 

assessment for healthy reefs and fisheries. Wildlife Conservation Society.42ppgs 

Dahl, A. 1980. Regional ecosystem survey of the South Pacific area. SPC/IUCN 

Technical Paper 179. South Pacific Commission, Noumea. 

Diamond, J. 1976. Proposed forest reserve system and conservation strategy for the 

Solomon Islands. Unpublished report. 

Gee, D. 2003. Bat survey of Tetepare Island. Tetepare Descendants’ Association 

Technical Report 2. World Wildlife Fund, Solomon Islands. 

Jenkins, A.P., Boseto, D., Mailautoka, K. 2006. Aquatic fauna and water quality of five 

river catchments in Macuata Province (Vanua Levu, Fiji). Wetlands International 

– Oceania, Canberra. 21 pgs. 

Jenkins, A.P. 2005. A preliminary study of freshwater fauna and water quality of Kubuna 

River and tributaries with recommendations for conservation action. Wetlands 

International – Oceania. John Gorton Building, Canberra. 14 pgs. 

Jenkins, A.P. 2007. Endemism and amphidromy in freshwater fishes of insular 

Melanesia: critical species and processes for conservation. Presentation to 

Australasian chapter of Society of Conservation Biology. Wetlands international- 

Oceania, Canberra. 

Hansell, J.R.F., and J.R.D. Wall. 1976. Land resources of the Solomon Islands. Land 

Resources Study 18. Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development, 

Surrey, England. 

Keith, P. 2003. Biology and ecology of amphidromous Gobiidae of the Indo-Pacific and 

the Caribbean regions. Journal of Fish Biology. 63: 831-847. 

McDowell, R. M. 2004. Ancestry and amphidromy in island freshwater fish faunas. Fish 

and fisheries. 5, 75-85 

Read, J.L. and K. Moseby, 2006. Vertebrates of Tetepare Island, Solomon Islands. 

Pacific Science. Vol 60, no.1:69-79.

Appendix 1. Select images of Tetepare aquatic habitat collecting sites 

Mid Erava River 

Mid Hokata River

Mid Fiha Creek 

Lake Bangatu (Crocodile Lake)

Lower Raro River 

Entrance to Cave Creek

Appendix 2. Sampling sites and water quality characteristics of freshwater/estuarine 

water bodies of Tetepare Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands. 

Site 1. Lower-mid Erava River (9/9/06); 2. Mid-Erava River (9/9/06); 3. Outlet of Lake 

Bangatu (10/9/06); 4.Lake Bangatu (10/9/06); 5. Upper Raro River (11/9/06); 6. Uppermid 

Fiha Creek (11/9/06); 7.Mid- Fiha Creek (11/9/06); 8. Namba 3 cave creek 

(12/9/06); 9. Upper-mid Erava River (12/9/06); 10. Lower-mid Raro River (13/9/06); 11. 

Mid-Raro River (13/9/06); 12.Upper-mid Raro River (13/9/06); 13. Mouth of Raro River 

(13/9/06); 14. Lake Saromana (14/9/06); 15. Mid- Hokata River (14/9/06). 

site 

GPS 

Co-ordinates 

Current 

Speed 

(m/s) 

Depth 

(m) 

Width 

(m) 

Conductivity 

(μS) 

Turbidity 

(NTU) 

DO 

(mg/L) 

Salinit 

y 

(ppt) 

1 S 08 o 42.50.27 0.2 1 9 195.9

APPENDIX 3. Diversity, abundance and catch per unit effort by reach in six Tetepare 

Island freshwater habitats. GN-Gill Net; EF-Electrofisher; SN-Seine Net 

RARO RIVER 

REACH # SPECIES # FISHES CPUE (g/hr) GEAR TYPE 

lower 7 29 22678.01 GN 

low-mid 12 49 6517.7 EF, SN 

midreach 16 90 1026.2 EF, SN 

mid-upper 17 109 8134.5 EF, SN 

headwater 1 2 269.31 EF, SN 

TOTAL SP. 43 

ENDEMICS 4 

ERAVA RIVER 


low-mid 19 70 2952.02 EF, SN 

midreach 19 65 1026.2 EF, SN 

mid-upper 21 81 8134.5 EF, SN 

TOTAL SP. 40 

ENDEMICS 5 

HOKATA RIVER 


midreach 21 102 7722.0 EF,SN 

ENDEMICS 4 

FIHA CREEK 


Upper-mid 5 19 892.49 EF,SN 

midreach 5 19 1332.17 EF,SN 

TOTAL SP. 8 

ENDEMICS 0 

LAKE BANGATU 


midlake 5 32 24087.1 GN 

outlet creek 8 67 1065.7 EF,SN 

TOTAL SP. 10 

ENDEMICS 1 

LAKE SAROMANA


lake edge 5 51 816.48 EF 

ENDEMICS 0 

Appendix 4. Aquatic snails collected on Tetepare Island (numbers collected in 

parentheses) 

Mid Raro 

1. Melanoides plicaria (2) 

2. Septaria porcellana (2) 

3. Neritina pulligera (2) 

4. Clithon corena (5) 

5. Clithon bicolour (2) 

6. Clithon cancellata (2) 

Upper Raro River 

1. Neritodryas subsulcata (3) 

Saromana Lake & mid Hokata River 

1. Melanoides punctata (5) 

2. Clithon francoisi (2) 

3. Septaria porcellana (2) 

4. Thiara cancellata (1) 

Bangatu Lake 

1. Thiara scabra (11) 

2. Melanoides punctata (9) 

3. Unknown Thiarid (1) 

Erava River 

1. Clithon olivacens (1)

Appendix 5. Mean lengths of fishes by site (cm SL). 

FAMILY 

Ambassidae 

Anguillidae 

Apogonidae 

Carangidae 

Chanidae 

Eleotridae 

SPECIES 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

Ambassis 

interruptus 0.00 0.00 3.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Ambassis miops 

3.39 3.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Anguilla 

marmorata 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 62.60 0.00 18.70 17.72 0.00 0.00 14.65 0.00 0.00 26.88 

Anguilla 

megastoma 0.00 90.00 0.00 0.00 38.34 35.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Apogon hyalosoma 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Apogon lateralis 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Caranx papuensis 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 

Decapterus cf 

macarellus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 23.00 0.00 0.00 

Scomberoides 

commersonianus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 

Chanos chanos 

0.00 0.00 0.00 33.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Belobranchus 

belobranchus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.27 0.00 0.00 7.27 0.00 0.00 7.85 

Bunaka gyrinoides 

0.00 0.00 2.45 0.00 0.00 2.60 2.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Butis butis 

0.00 3.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Butis amboinensis 

4.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.47 0.00 0.00 6.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Eleotris fusca 

1.95 0.00 3.55 2.12 0.00 6.04 2.24 9.61 0.00 0.00 8.10 7.21 0.00 6.00 4.22 

Eleotris 

melanosoma 

2.02 5.07 4.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Giuris 

magaritaceous 13.95 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.71 0.00 15.00 12.00 

Giurus hoedti 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Hyseleotris 

guentheri 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.69 0.00 0.00 0.00

Gobiidae 

Hemiramphidae 

Kuhliidae 

Leiognathidae 

Lutjanidae 

Ophiocara 

porocephala 

0.00 17.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.50 5.16 

Awaous ocellaris 

5.00 7.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 0.00 12.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Glossogobius sp 

4.81 8.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.41 5.24 4.56 5.02 0.00 0.00 6.63 

Mugilogobius 

fusculus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.83 0.00 

Periopthalmus 


5.79 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Redigobius cf 

chrysosoma 2.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Redigobius 

bikolanus 

0.00 2.09 2.12 2.21 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.90 0.00 

Schismatogobius 

sp 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.62 0.00 3.92 3.41 0.00 0.00 3.21 

Sicyopterus 

lagocephalus 

0.00 3.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.26 0.00 0.00 3.70 0.00 0.00 5.56 

Sicyopterus 

longifilis 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.73 

Sicyopterus n.sp. 

2.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.27 2.19 0.00 0.00 2.32 

Stenogobius sp. 

3.78 0.00 3.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Stiphodon 

rutilaureus 2.23 2.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Stiphodon n. sp 

3.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Zenarchopterus sp. 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.00 0.00 0.00 12.00 0.00 0.00 

Kuhlia marginata 

12.20 10.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.20 0.00 7.00 0.00 6.00 6.50 0.00 0.00 6.60 

Kuhlia rupestris 

0.00 21.00 24.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 0.00 0.00 31.00 

Leiognathus 

equulus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 19.00 0.00 0.00 

Lutjanus 

argentimaculatus 15.00 13.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.00 0.00 15.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Lutjanus fulvus 

0.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Megalopidae 

Monodactylidae 

Moringuidae 

Mugilidae 

Muraenidae 

Ophichthidae 

Polynemidae 

Pomacentridae 

Rhyacichthyidae 

Scatophagidae 

Scorpaenidae 

Serranidae 

Syngnathidae 

Terapontidae 

Toxotidae 

Unknown family 

Lutjanus fuscesens 

0.00 9.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 

Megalops 

cyprinoides 0.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Monodactylus 

argenteus 0.00 1.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.22 4.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Moringua cf 

ferruginea 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Crenimugil 

crenilabris 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.17 23.10 0.00 0.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 

Liza vaigiensis 

0.00 0.00 6.50 7.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.60 

Gymnothorax 

polyuranodon 0.00 29.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.56 

Lamnostoma 

kampeni 21.00 22.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.00 0.00 18.41 19.42 0.00 0.00 13.05 

Polydactylus 

sexifilis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 29.00 0.00 0.00 

Neopomacentrus 

aquadulcis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Rhyacichthys cf 

aspro 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.82 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.39 

Scatophagus argus 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.52 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Tetraroge sp. 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.83 0.00 0.00 5.41 0.00 0.00 2.54 

Epinephalus 

polystigma 14.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Microphis sp. 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Mesopristes 

argenteus 18.50 17.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.25 0.00 0.00 9.55 0.00 0.00 9.23 

Mesopristes 

cancellatus 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.20 0.00 0.00 26.00 0.00 0.00 17.50 

Terapon jarbua 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Toxotes jaculatrix 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

New gen. n.sp. 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.11

Unknown 

Rajiformes 

40.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Appendix 6. Estimated total weight (grams) of fishes by site using length/weight relationship W =a L b x total individuals 

FAMILY SPECIES a b 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

Ambassidae Ambassis interruptus 0.0328 2.793 0.00 0.00 9.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Ambassis miops 0.0328 2.793 7.95 4.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.82 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata 0.00257 2.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 580.40 0.00 31.69 67.50 0.00 0.00 22.95 0.00 0.00 93.44 

Anguilla megastoma 0.00257 2.98 0.00 1712.28 0.00 0.00 269.31 205.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Apogonidae Apogon hyalosoma 0.0092 3.35 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 160.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Apogon lateralis 0.00917 3.347 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Carangidae Caranx papuensis 0.0249 2.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1980.08 0.00 0.00 

Decapterus cf 

macarellus 

0.01 3.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 194.73 0.00 0.00 

Scomberoides 

commersonianus 

0.0295 2.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 417.38 0.00 0.00 

Chanidae Chanos chanos 0.0073 3.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 10770.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Eleotridae 

Belobranchus 

belobranchus 

0.01678 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.65 0.00 0.00 38.65 0.00 0.00 56.73 

Bunaka gyrinoides 0.01678 3 0.00 0.00 0.74 0.00 0.00 0.29 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Butis butis 0.01053 3 0.00 1.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Butis amboinensis 0.01053 3 2.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.76 0.00 0.00 5.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Eleotris fusca 0.016 3 1.19 0.00 19.33 0.15 0.00 24.63 0.18 142.18 0.00 0.00 85.03 35.98 0.00 24.19 4.79

Eleotris melanosoma 0.016 3 0.92 12.48 5.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Giuris magaritaceous 0.0105 3 57.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 70.88 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.86 0.00 106.31 54.43 

Giurus hoedti 0.0105 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 81.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Hyseleotris guentheri 0.00835 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Ophiocara 

porocephala 

0.0105 3 0.00 112.55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 265.93 2.89 

Gobiidae Awaous ocellaris 0.0131 3.1 3.85 10.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.49 0.00 58.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Glossogobius sp 0.0134 3.045 16.03 16.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.75 4.15 2.72 5.48 0.00 0.00 8.50 

Mugilogobius fusculus 0.01437 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.71 0.00 

Periopthalmus 

0.0096 3.34 3.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 


Redigobius cf 

0.01437 3 0.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

chrysosoma 

Redigobius bikolanus 0.01437 3 0.00 0.13 2.19 2.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 

Schismatogobius sp 0.01169 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.32 0.00 0.70 0.46 0.00 0.00 1.16 

Sicyopterus 

lagocephalus 

0.01169 3 0.00 0.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.70 0.00 0.00 2.97 0.00 0.00 12.06 

Sicyopterus longifilis 0.01169 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.60 

Sicyopterus n.sp. 0.01169 3 0.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.23 5.53 0.00 0.00 1.46 

Stenogobius sp. 0.0131 3.1 1.61 0.00 0.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Stiphodon rutilaureus 0.01169 3 0.39 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Stiphodon n. sp 0.01169 3 0.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus sp. 0.00388 3.132 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.17 0.00 0.00 37.23 0.00 0.00

Kuhliidae Kuhlia marginata 0.0134 3.121 197.60 230.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 47.79 0.00 69.80 0.00 21.57 27.69 0.00 0.00 58.09 

Kuhlia rupestris 0.0175 3 0.00 324.14 483.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 546.88 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2250.94 0.00 0.00 2606.71 

Leiognathidae Leiognathus equulus 0.0296 2.944 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 146.83 0.00 0.00 0.00 172.16 0.00 0.00 

Lutjanidae 

Lutjanus 

0.0336 2.79 256.86 134.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 230.65 0.00 207.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

argentimaculatus 

Lutjanus fulvus 0.0243 2.93 0.00 135.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 315.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Lutjanus fuscesens 0.017 3.04 0.00 58.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4201.32 0.00 0.00 4201.32 

Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides 0.0136 3.005 0.00 0.00 0.00 1263.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Monodactylidae 

Monodactylus 

argenteus 

0.033 2.921 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.21 5.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Moringuidae Moringua cf ferruginea 0.001 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.74 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Mugilidae Crenimugil crenilabris 0.0205 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 194.58 2021.53 0.00 0.00 4981.50 0.00 0.00 

Liza vaigiensis 0.0205 3 0.00 0.00 11.26 7.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 17.68 

Muraenidae Gymnothorax 

0.0011 2.57 0.00 13.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 

polyuranodon 

Ophichthidae Lamnostoma kampeni 0.0011 2.57 2.75 15.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33.01 0.00 37.29 13.50 0.00 0.00 10.53 

Polynemidae Polydactylus sexifilis 0.0162 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3555.92 0.00 0.00 

Pomacentridae 

Neopomacentrus 

aquadulcis 

0.0297 2.87 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Rhyacichthyidae Rhyacichthys cf aspro 0.0163 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 77.01 

Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus 0.0377 2.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Scorpaenidae Tetraroge sp. 0.0205 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.51 0.00 0.00 9.73 0.00 0.00 0.67 

Serranidae 

Epinephalus 

polystigma 

0.0173 3 53.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 285.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Syngnathidae Microphis sp. 0.00056 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Terapontidae Mesopristes argenteus 0.0154 3.082 247.73 324.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.11 0.00 0.00 80.70 0.00 0.00 72.65 

Mesopristes 

0.0154 3.082 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 59.31 0.00 0.00 1414.26 0.00 0.00 417.47 

cancellatus 

Terapon jarbua 0.0154 3.082 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 939.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Toxotidae Toxotes jaculatrix 0.0154 3.082 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 64.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Unknown family New gen. n.sp. 0.016 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.11 

Unknown Rajiformes 0.034 2.99 2097.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Freshwater Fishes of Tetepare Island - Western Solomons Research ...

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