Abstract:
This study was conducted to see the effect of coral cover and substrate complexity on
groupers density and diversity at Bidong Island. The data was collected from nine
stations during two sampling sessions, in September 2007 and January 2008. All the data
collections were conducted by direct observation using SCUBA diving. Fish abundance
was collected using fish belt transect and benthic coverage data was taken by Line
Intercept Transect (LIT) method. The structural complexity of the reef substrates was
determined by using Dahl method. One hundred and seventy three individuals from six
species of groupers were obtained which were Cephalopolis boenak, C. microprion, C.
cyanostigma, C.argus, C. formosa and Epinephelus fasciatus. C. boenak was the most
abundant species encountered throughout this study, whereas C. formosa was the least
abundant species. The density of groupers in Bidong waters was 0.038 individual per m2
.The study showed that structural complexity of the reef substrates has no significant
correlation (P < 0.05) with abundance and diversity of groupers.
