Multi-species FSAs

Multi-species spawning aggregation sites occur when more than one species spawns at the same site. The species gathered typically divide use of the site in space and time, but occasionally overlap. In some cases, more than one species may spawn simultaneously in the same general area. Others may spawn at the same location on different days, or in different seasons, or at different times of day. For example, in the Caribbean, groupers spawn during the winter months, while snappers spawn during the spring and summer months, but use the same general aggregation site.

It is likely that many FSA sites are multi-species in nature. For example, during a study of a Nassau grouper FSA, a remotely operated vehicle found a previously undiscovered yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) FSA occurring at the same site.1 Deepwater FSAs are usually difficult to detect without the use of specialized equipment, such as ROVs. Therefore, many FSAs may remain undiscovered for the near future. The occurrence of deepwater FSAs may require that FSA-based MPAs be extended into deeper nearshore waters.

A good example of a multi-species FSA exists at Gladden Spit in Belize, where nearly thirty species may spawn at different times of the year2. The following species have been reported to share this spawning site:

Many species of fishes may gather to spawn at an FSA site by dividing the use of that location in time and space.
Photo © S. Summerhays

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis
Cubera snapper L. cyanopterus
Dog snapper L. jocu
Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus
Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus
Rock hind E. adscensionis
Red hind E. guttatus
Coney E. fulvus
Grasby E. cruentatus
Black grouper Myctoperca bonaci
Tiger grouper M. tigris
Yellowfin grouper M. venenosa
Permit Trachionatus fulcatus
Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana
Amber jack S. dumerili
Bar jack Caranx ruber
Blue runner C. crysos
Yellow jack C. bartholomaei
Jack crevalle C. hippos
Horseye jack C. latus
Black margate Anisotremus surinamensis
White margate Haemulon album
Kingfish Scomberomerus regalis
Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus
Ocean triggerfish Canthidermis sufflamen
Jolthead porgy Calamus bajonado
Trunkfish Lactophrys trigonus
Smooth trunkfish L. triqueter

The seasonality of the grouper and snapper spawning seasons at this site have been detailed in the literature3. Other examples of multi-species FSAs include sites in Little Cayman Island4 and Cuba5.