9/1/2023 0 Comments Queen triggerfish![]() The Queen Triggerfish is an easy fish to identify due to the pattern of blue bands on its head and caudal fin base, thus cannot be confused with any other species. The Queen Triggerfish is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They have lifespans of up to sixteen years. The eggs are protected by both parents and the hatched larvae become pelagic. Females can release eggs in the nests throughout the year and these eggs are then fertilized by males. Males prepare up to a dozen nests in hollows blown out of sandy seabed and then patrol the area, driving unwanted fish away. Reproduction is oviparous and occurs in harems of one male and up to six females. ![]() They have the ability to produce sound which is believed to be used for communication. They are preyed upon by larger reef fish including groupers, jacks, and sharks. At night, they wedge themselves into crevices within the reef for protection from predation. They are active diurnally and feed primarily on benthic invertebrates including bivalves, crabs, macroalgae, polychaete worms, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimp, and starfish. Adults are found in deeper waters than juveniles. They are found either as solitary individuals or in small groups. As of March 31, 2022, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 6.44 kg (14 lbs 3 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Cancun, Quintana Roo, in January 2009. They reach a maximum 60 cm (24 inches) in length and 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs) in weight with males and females being of similar size. The Queen Triggerfish are typically a demersal shallow water species found off-shore within coral and rocky reefs adjacent to sandy and seagrass beds at depths up to 30 m (100 feet) but on occasion they can also be found at depths up to 275 m (900 feet). They are covered with scales and thick leathery skin. Both anal and dorsal rays are elongated and taper posteriorly. Their anal fin lacks spines and has 27 to 29 rays their caudal fin is doubly concave and crescent-shaped and has long trailing filaments their first dorsal fin has 3 spines and the first spine is very elongated and can be locked erect their second dorsal fin has 29 to 32 rays. ![]() They have small eyes that are set well back on top of their head. Their head has a small mouth that opens at the front and is equipped with 8 hefty outer teeth on the upper and lower jaws and small notched teeth that are longer and pointed. Juveniles are paler in color being gray-brown with blue oblique lines across their head the sides of their body are dashed with oblique black lines and they also have shorter fins than adults. They have the ability to change colors to adapt to their surroundings or when under stress or breeding. The edges of their anal, caudal, and dorsal fins are blue. They also have a blue bar across their caudal peduncle. They have two wide oblique bright blue bands extending from their snout to below and in front of their pectoral fins as well as blue lines with yellow borders radiating from their eyes the lower band is continuous with a blue ring around their lips. They are distinctively colored with various shades of purple, green, yellow, and brown on their back and yellow-orange on the lower portions of their head and abdomen. The Queen Triggerfish have robust, compressed, oblong, and relatively deep bodies with a depth that is 52% to 56% of standard length. Globally, there are seven species in the genus Balistes, three of which are found in Mexican waters, two in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific Ocean. The Queen Triggerfish, Balistes vetula, is a member of the Triggerfish or Balistidae Family, that is known in Mexico as cochino. Catch, photograph, and identification courtesy of George Brinkman, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Fish caught from coastal waters off Hopetown, Bahamas, March 2004. Catch, photograph, and identification courtesy of Ben Cantrell, Sebastian, Florida. Catch, photograph, and identification courtesy of Josh Leisen (), Gaylord, Michigan. ![]() Fish caught from coastal waters off Belize, March 2004. Gastropod Shells – by Genus and Species.Bivalves or Pelecypod Shells – by Family.Bivalves or Pelecypod Shells – by Genus and Species.Bivalve or Pelcypod Shells – by Common Name.Fish Weight From Length Conversion Tables.Birds – Family Photos – Tanagers to Wrens.Birds – Family Photos – Mockingbirds to Swallows.Birds – Family Photos – Frigates to Kinglet. ![]() Birds – Family Photos – Anhinga to Flycatchers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |