What fish are "keystone" species?

A keystone species is one that, in relation to its abundance, has an outsized impact on its surroundings.

Numerous animal species consume various phases of the life cycle of anadromous fish, which are freshwater fish that are born and then spend the majority of their lives in saltwater before returning to freshwater to spawn. Examples of anadromous fish include salmon, smelt, and stripped bass.

Anadromous fish are essential for the survival or reproduction of many wild species; some are the main sources of food for scavengers and vertebrate predators, making them an ecologically significant link between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; the spatial distribution of anadromous fish in freshwater has important implications for biodiversity conservation and the biology of wild species.

After spawning, Pacific salmon die, delivering vital nutrients to their birthplace and serving as food for numerous local species.

As sea grass is where fish lay their eggs, overgrazing by sea turtles and dugongs could result in a decrease in fish populations, which is something that sharks help control.

An ecosystem may undergo a drastic change if a keystone species is eliminated. Fish are essential to maintaining the structure of an ecological community because they influence other organisms and determine the kinds and numbers of different other species in the community.

Some examples of "keystone" fish species include the groupers, sharks, and parrotfish. These fish play crucial roles in maintaining the health and stability of their ecosystems by controlling prey populations, influencing habitat structure, and supporting biodiversity.