| Family: |
Balistidae (Triggerfishes) |
| Max. size: |
50 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 110 m |
| Distribution: |
Circumglobal in warm and tropical seas (not in the Mediterranean). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-25; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-22. Head, body and fins of adults dark; body with elongated white spots that may disappear with growth (Ref. 4420).
Description: Characterized further by having notably elevated anteriorly soft dorsal and anal rays; front of eye with deep groove; relatively elongate body, greatest depth 2.1-2.3 in SL; double emarginate caudal fin with lobes of adult slightly to moderately prolonged (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found in shallow coastal and offshore waters (Ref. 9276, 11230). Epipelagic nearly all throughout life, often associated with drifting objects (Ref. 1602, 44187). May occur on deep rocky slopes (Ref. 7251). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972). Appear to school in large numbers based on catches from set nets (Ref. 637). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9770). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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