Fish Assemblages on Artificial Fish Habitats in Estuaries: A Comparison with Natural Rocky Habitats

In this study, fish assemblages on deployed artificial fish habitats and natural rocky habitats were compared 1 year post-deployment in Zuari estuary, southwest coast of India employing underwater visual census. Comparisons demonstrated significant differences in fish species composition between artificial fish habitats and natural rocky habitats. Within the artificial fish habitats, the habitats located at deeper regions indicated high richness, diversity and species abundance. The rich and diverse fish assemblages on deeper artificial fish habitats might be a result of isolated location, species behavioral preferences on feeding and shelter and complexity of the habitat.