An ichthyologist tags 15% of a population of 1200 reef fish. If 8% of tagged fish are recaptured in a later sample, how many tagged fish are recaptured?

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:11:45 +0000

**Why Studying Reef Fish Populations Matters—And What the Numbers Reveal** When marine biologists track reef fish movements, they use a targeted method: tagging a percentage of a population to understand behavior, migration, and ecosystem health. In recent research, an ichthyologist tagged 15% of a reef fish population comprising 1,200 individual fish. This approach helps scientists gauge fish survival, habitat use, and population dynamics—but what happens next? If 8% of those tagged fish are recaptured during follow-up sampling, how does that translate into real numbers? The math may seem simple, but the insights inform critical conservation strategies. Understanding how marine science tracks reef health helps explain shifting patterns in ocean biodiversity—especially relevant amid growing awareness of climate impacts on coral reefs. Whether for academic study, environmental advocacy, or personal curiosity, knowing how recapture rates reveal fish population dynamics supports informed engagement with marine conservation. ### How the Tagging and Recapture Calculation Actually Works