Biodiversity and Depth-Related Species Distribution of Coral Reef Fish on the Seamounts of Tho Chu Archipelago, Vietnam

Date Received: Apr 01, 2026

Date Accepted: May 20, 2026

Date Published: Jun 30, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2026.9.2.06

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Issue: Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Section:

ANIMAL SCIENCE – VETERINARY MEDICINE – AQUACULTURE

How to Cite:

Thanh, N., Bat, N., Huong, T., Nho, P., Chieu, H., & Nghia, N. (2026). Biodiversity and Depth-Related Species Distribution of Coral Reef Fish on the Seamounts of Tho Chu Archipelago, Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9(2), 2986–3000. https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2026.9.2.06

Biodiversity and Depth-Related Species Distribution of Coral Reef Fish on the Seamounts of Tho Chu Archipelago, Vietnam

Nguyen Van Thanh (*) 1 , Nguyen Khac Bat 1 , Tran Van Huong 1, 2 , Pham Tran Dinh Nho 1 , Hoang Dinh Chieu 1   , Nguyen Viet Nghia 3

  • Corresponding author: [email protected]
  • 1 Northern Research Center for Marine Fisheries, Vietnam Academy of Fishery Sciences, Hai Phong 04000, Vietnam
  • 2 Institute of the World Ocean, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok 690000, Russia
  • 3 Offfice of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 12400, Vietnam

    • Keywords

    Fish populations, seamount, species composition, sustainable fisheries

    Abstract


    This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the species composition and distribution of coral reef fish populations on the seamounts of Tho Chu Archipelago. Surveys were conducted during the Northeast monsoon (December 2023) and Southwest monsoon (July–August 2024) seasons across 24 transects spanning depths 11-30m. A total of 83 species from 45 genera, 23 families, and 13 orders were recorded. The most abundant families were damselfishes (Pomacentridae) with 19 species and wrasses (Labridae) with 15 species. Species richness was the highest in the shallow reef crest (11-15m; 70 species) and declined markedly toward the deeper reef foot (26-28m; 18 species). The overall diversity was high (H’ = 4.93), with a relatively even species distribution (J’ = 0.77). Mean fish density reached about 250 individuals per 500 m2, dominated by small-size fishes (< 10cm in total length). The Bray-Curtis similarity index revealed distinct depth-related groupings, with strong overlap in mid-depth communities. The findings provide baseline ecological data on species composition, density, and depth-related distribution patterns, serving as scientific evidence for marine conservation planning and sustainable fisheries management in offshore waters.

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