Initially the ocean biome was modeled after a Carribean coral reef system, and the first introduction consisted of an array of functional groups of fishes.

In recent years many of the oceanarium researchers have been Pacific experts, and subsequent introductions have been soley from the Hawaiian system.

Only quite recently has a standardized methodology for fish census been established. In order to count each fish species accurately, the Biosphere2 Ocean is divided into four sections. The east lagoon window, west lagoon rocks, dive platform area, and the fore reef extending into the deep. Four snorklers are needed, one for each ocean division. Each snorkler uses a slate with each species listed in tabular form for counting. Simultaneously, all four snorklers count each species in their quadrat. The following estimates of percent community composition have been achieved.

In 2001 we redesigned our fish sampling regime using standardized video transects so that estimats of length-frequency distributions can be achieved. We are currently analyzing the results of those first video transects and expect to produce data from them shortly.