The early life history of fish in coastal waters of

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research

ISSN: 0028-8330 (Print) 1175-8805 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzm20

The early life history of fish in coastal waters of northern New Zealand: A review Michael J. Kingsford To cite this article: Michael J. Kingsford (1988) The early life history of fish in coastal waters of northern New Zealand: A review, New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 22:3, 463-479, DOI: 10.1080/00288330.1988.9516316 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.1988.9516316

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New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1988, Vol. 22: 463^479 0028-8330/88/2203-0463$2.50/0 © Crown copyright 1988

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The early life history of fish in coastal waters of northern New Zealand: a review

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MICHAEL J. KTNGSFORD* Leigh Marine Laboratory University of Auckland Private Bag, Auckland New Zealand Abstract Studies on the early life history of fish in New Zealand started during the 1950s off the Northland coast. Since then taxonomy, seasonality in abundance, and vertical and horizontal distribution patterns have been described as well as aspects at the level of individuals, such as age, growth, and condition. I discuss the findings and issues that have developed from these studies and illustrate three undescribed presettlement reef fish. Results indicate that different taxonomic groups typically have different vertical and horizontal distribution patterns as well as different temporal patterns of abundance. This implies that general models of how "larval fish" behave are unrealistic. As a result, the importance of physical and biological processes that may influence the distribution and survival of ichthyoplankton will vary among categories of fish (such as pelagic and reef fish) and taxonomic groups within these. Based on knowledge of the distribution pattern of some species, there is considerable scope for focusing future research on specific groups offish in terms of ontogenetic changes in morphology, sensory abilities, growth, diet, condition, interrelationships with other plankters, and, in the case of reef fish, onshore transport. Keywords presettlement fish; fish larvae; distribution; seasonality; sampling methods; age; growth; onshore transport; oceanography; New Zealand

Received 29 June 1987; accepted 29 November 1987 *Present address: School of Biological Sciences, Zoology A08, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia

INTRODUCTION Most fish hatch from demersal or planktonic eggs (Breder & Rosen 1966; Leiby 1984) and, with few exceptions (e.g., Robertson 1973), disperse subsequently into the pelagic environment. Demersal and reef-associated fish may later settle (sensu Williams 1983) close to the substratum as juveniles. In the case of pelagic species, metamorphosis to a juvenile represents the end of the planktonic phase (Kendall et al. 1984). Some investigations along the coast of northern New Zealand have dealt with reef-associated and pelagic groups in general studies of ichthyoplankton, while others have focused on single species. In this overview, first a brief history is given of the projects that have examined ichthyoplankton in the study area. I then review the major findings of these investigations, the issues that have developed from them, and the ways these topics could be explored further. Finally, prospects for future research are discussed both in terms of building upon current programs and pointing out areas that have received considerable attention outside, but not within, New Zealand. HISTORY Cassie (1956), Robertson (unpubl. data), and Crossland (1980, 1981, 1982) studied ichthyoplankton in the Hauraki Gulf and along the East Coast of Northland from 1950 to 1978; the first projects carried out at the University of Auckland Marine Laboratory (Leigh) started in 1980. Initial studies at Leigh described seasonal patterns of ichthyoplankton abundance at the entrance of Whangateau Harbour (Roper 1986) and in the immediate vicinity of Goat Island (Thompson 1983). In 1980 the ichthyoplankton of the area was poorly described and knowledge was based on the existing literature (e.g., Elder 1966; Baker 1972; Robertson 1973; James 1976; Russell 1976; Frentzos 1980; Ruck 1980). Considerable effort was given initially to obtaining descriptions from size series offish captured in plankton tows (e.g., Roper

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New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1988, Vol. 22

1981). Thompson (1983) also examined the diets of some ichthyoplankters, especially Trachurus spp. The focus of the more recent work arose out of a study on the influence of drifting algae on the distribution of ichthyoplankton (Kingsford & Choat 1985). This led to the investigation of internal waves and how the slicks of such oceanographic features influence the distribution and onshore movements of fish (Kingsford & Choat 1986). Since 1983 the Leigh Marine Laboratory's research vessel Proteus allowed sampling on a broader scale, near to and away from islands at different distances across the continental shelf (Kingsford 1986). Futher work investigated the vertical distribution patterns of ichthyoplankton at localities near the mainland using ichthyoplankton nets with a closing mechanism, and diver observations (Kingsford 1986). Using information from investigations in the pelagic environment and from research carried out on rocky reefs (e.g., Milicich 1986), a picture of events taking place during the early life history of some fish was obtained (Kingsford 1986; Kingsford & Milicich 1987). Recent projects have focused upon specific groups of fish. Following up investigations on the "health" of fish (e.g., Ehrlich 1975; Ehrlich et al. 1976; Koslow et al. 1985), Atkinson (1987) has made biochemical and morphometric analyses of presettlement snapper (Chrysophrys auralus of sizes