triggerfish report

7/31/2019 Triggerfish Report

1/21

Reef triggerfish


2/21

40 species of often brightly colored speciesof the family Balistidae.

consist of approximately forty species ineleven genera.

Inhabit tropical or sub-tropical oceans aoundthe world.

Popular in the marine aquarium trade

Notoriously ill-tempered.


3/21

Animalia Chordata

Actinopterygii

Tetraodontiformes Balistidae


4/21


5/21

They are easily recognized by their deep flatbodies, small pectoral fins, small eyes placedhigh upon the head,

rough rhomboid-shaped scales that form atough covering on their body.

angular shaped head that extends into a longsnout-like nose that possesses very strong

jaws and a small mouth full of heavy dutyteeth.


6/21

With an outer series of eight teeth in each jaw upper jaw contains a second inner series of

six plate-like teeth.

Near the area in front of the tail they havesome prickly, spike-like rows of spines.


7/21

The first dorsal fin is made up of three spinesand can be depressed into a groove on thefish's back.

When erect, this spine can be locked intoplace by the second dorsal fin, known as the"trigger" spine (from which these fish derivetheir common name).


8/21


9/21

Ventral and posterior dorsal fins, are capableof undulating from side to side to provideslow speed movement.

Sickle shaped caudal fin is used only toescape predators

Gill plates (operculum), is present but notvisible, overlaid by tough skin, and then

covered by rough rhomboid scales.


10/21

Aggressive in protecting their eggs fromintruders

Their territory extends in a cone from thenest to the upward surface

They are also notorious bait stealers, theynibble off small bites of any bait.


11/21

Feeds on slow moving bottom dwellingcrustaecians, mollusks, and sea urchins.

Triggerfish will often lie on their side abovethe substrate and undulate their dorsal andanal fins, sending up a cloud of sand,detritus, and microfauna, allowing them toexpose buried animals


12/21

Spitting is another common triggerfishbehavior.

In the wild triggerfish will hunt by hydraulicjetting: they blow water out of their mouthsand into the sand to uncover prey.


13/21

Lay there eggs in a small hole, dug in the seabottom

Adults guard there nest

Juveniles feed on small shrimps, crabs, andother mollusks


14/21

Almost all species of triggerfish can be eaten The titan triggerfish should be a avoided, due

to its ciguatoxin


15/21

Also known as the wedge-tail triggerfish,rectangular triggerfish, or the v-line humuhumu

The official fish of the state of Hawaii

The name Humu humu comes from Hawaiianand Humuhumu-nukunuku-apua'a, meaningpig-like snout.


16/21

Rhinecanthus rectangulusBalistidaeNormal

22 - 26 C; 72 - 78 F

8.1 - 8.4

8 - 12

1.020 - 1.023

30 cm; 12 inches

Egg Laying

Years

No

Corals


17/21


18/21

Tan body with dark bands Its distinctive features include blue/black

strips across its eyes.

blue lips and a black wedge at the base of thecaudal fin, which is outlined in brown andyellow.

highly maneuverable and changes directions

quickly.


19/21

has a double dorsal fin with a large spine inthe front area of the fin.

It uses the spine to lock itself into rocks andcorals where it sleeps for the night, wellprotected from predators.

Triggers have been known to sleep on theirsides as well.


20/21


21/21

There are no known sexual differences. Reef Triggers are egg layers and they are not

bred in captivity.

triggerfish report

Documents