Fish chorus variation in a tropical estuarine environment

Fish choruses are still understudied in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Temporal and spatial variation of fish choruses at two sites inside Guanabara Bay were investigated between 2021 and 2022; one sampling site was in a Marine Protected Area (MPA), and the other was in a rocky environment closer to vessel trafficking areas. Acoustic recordings were performed on 17 sampling occasions of 24 h, coupled to a temperature data logger. Long-term spectral averages were employed to determine choruses' start, end, and peak times, and third-octave levels were used to characterize spectral characteristics. Fish sounds were also analyzed and investigated with a principal components analysis. Choruses in the MPA lasted, on average, 4.5 h and had a peak frequency of 547.2 +/- 226.6 kHz with a peak level of 104.6 +/- 8.7 dB re 1 mu Pa. In contrast, the rocky site choruses lasted 5.5 h on average and had a peak frequency of 371.7 +/- 131.0 Hz with a peak level of 113.4 +/- 4.0 dB re 1 mu Pa. Chorus peak frequency was positively correlated to temperature (r = 0.4). Different types of fish sounds were identified, with some acoustics parameters varying between sites. Results indicate more than one chorusing species that may react to different factors. (c) 2023 Acoustical Society of America.