Fish colonization of an artificial reef in the Gulf of Elat, northern Red Sea

A small near shore artificial reef was constructed in the Gulf of flat, nor thern Red Sea at a depth of 22-24 m. The colonization of fishes was monitor ed for a period of 728 days and a total of 94 species was recorded. Coloniz ation was initially rapid. The first species to appear were Dascyllus trima culatus and Chaetodon paucifasciatus (day 2). In the first seven months, a gradual increase in the number of species was observed, after which it leve led off. Subsequently, a reduction in the number of individuals increased d iversity of the community, as measured by the Shannon & Weaver index. The l ow complexity of the major components of the artificial reef, in addition t o its location on a muddy, silty substrate, resulted in a constant cover of fine grain particles which presumably discouraged settlement of invertebra tes and small cryptic fish species on the artificial reef.