| Balistidae (Triggerfishes) |
| 25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 120 m |
| Indo-Pacific: East Africa eastward through northern Australia to Hawaiian, Marquesas and Pitcairn islands, north to south Japan. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 25-27. The characteristic scythe mark crossing the pectoral base is yellowish-tan to green in juveniles and subadults.
Description: Characterized further by greyish to brown body color; white chin and belly; white diagonal line behind mouth; longitudinal scale rows 43-50; presence of deep groove in front of eye; nearly straight dorsal and ventral head profiles; body with series of longitudinal ridges bearing small spiny tubercles, upper ridge extending to rear of pectoral fins; truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Inhabit clear inner and outer reef habitats from exposed algae reef flats to deep along drop-offs (Ref. 48637). Occur in seaward reefs below the surge zone (Ref. 205). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on crabs, bivalves, gastropods, algae, echinoids, tunicates, worms, eggs, and detritus. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Also taken by drive-in nets (Ref. 9770). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 January 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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