PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF MARINE FISH SPECIES OF POTENTIAL VALUE AS ORNAMENTALS IN SANTA MARTA AND TAYRONA NATIONAL NATURAL PARK, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

Abstract

Twenty one abundant and frequent marine fish species of Santa Marta and Tayrona National Natural Park (Colombian Caribbean) were identified as ornamental with marked value. Species. were ranked positively following various criteria, such as if they have been reared in other countries or if they are included in genera or families which haver reared, and their adaptability to confinement conditions with the aim of future rearing and reproducing processes. Important information about adaptation to captivity conditions were found for some of these species. Microspathodon crysurus, Coryphopterus personatus, Elacatinus illecebrosus, Stegastes partitus y Serranus tigrinus are proposed as the species that widely fulfill the criteria.