VERTICAL-DISTRIBUTION OF FISH LARVAE OFF THE FLORIDA-KEYS, 26 MAY 5 JUNE 1989

A preliminary description of the vertical distribution of fish larvae offshore of the Florida Keys was derived from quantitative analysis of the fish families represented in the catch from selected stations on the 26 May to 5 June 1989 cruise of Project SEFCAR (Southeastern Flori da and Caribbean Recruitment). Eight nighttime samples were taken at s tations > 150 m deep by MOCNESS tows with individual nets sampling 25 m vertical depth strata. Larvae of 65 families of fishes were identifi ed. The depth distribution of the 14 most abundant families was explor ed. These families comprised three groups based on the observed depth of 50% or more of their abundance. The Scombridae, Carangidae, Labrida e, and Bothidae occurred <25 m deep. The Gonostomatidae, Gobiidae, Myc tophidae, Serranidae, Paralepididae, Scorpaenidae, and Bregmacerotidae occurred <50 m deep. The Paralichthyidae, Synodontidae, and Phosichth yidae occured >50 m deep. The larvae of the remaining 51 families also could be assigned to these three vertical depth categories with appro ximately equal numbers of families in each depth category but greatest total abundance in the second category (0-50 m).