Table of Contents
Overview
Brief Summary
Biology
The queen triggerfish is often found drifting close to the bottom, where it feeds on a range of molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (4). The strong jaws and long teeth of this fish enable it to bite through the hard body parts of these marine creatures with ease (4). It specialises on feeding on a particular sea urchin (Diadema antillarium), and has evolved an ingenious way of tackling this spiny prey; it blows water under the sea urchin to overturn it, exposing the part of the sea urchin where the spines are shortest (2). Little information is available on the breeding biology of this species, although it is known that triggerfish lay eggs which stick to corals, rocks and algae (4). The eggs are somewhat protected by being camouflaged (4), and are also apparently guarded by the male (2). As adults, queen triggerfish are protected by the erectile spine on their backs. If threatened, the triggerfish will retreat into a crevice in the reef, the spine on its back locks into position, and the predator is unable to remove the fish from its shelter (4).
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Description
The deep-bodied queen triggerfish has suitably regal colouring; it is a flamboyant, and variable, mixture of blue, green and yellow, which can be light or dark depending on the fish's mood (3), and vivid blue lines pattern the head and the fins (2). Triggerfish are named after the spines situated on their backs. The first large spine can be erected and then locked into place by the second smaller spine which fits into a groove in the first spine (3). This clever locking mechanism enables triggerfish to wedge themselves into crevices when they feel threatened (3), and the first spine can only be folded away when the second 'trigger' spine is depressed (2). The eyes, which are set high on the fish's head (2), are capable of moving independently of each other (4), and the small mouth bears large, stout teeth (2).
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Comprehensive Description
Biology
Found over rocky or coral areas (Ref. 5217). May form schools, sometimes solitary over sand and grassy areas. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 4727). It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks it where the spines are short (Ref. 9710). Excellent food fish but occasionally can cause intoxication due to the liver.
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Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray 1986 A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=7251&speccode=942
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Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: Ascension, Cape Verde, and Azores (Ref. 7348); ranges south to southern Angola (Ref. 4420). Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil (Ref. 7251).
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Harmelin-Vivien, M.L. and J.-C. Quéro 1990 Balistidae. p. 1055-1060. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 7348)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=7348&speccode=19
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Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil
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North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=2901
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Azores Exclusive Economic Zone, European waters (ERMS scope), Gulf of Mexico, North West Atlantic
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North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=2901
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Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.
http://www.marinespecies.org/porifera/porifera.php?p=sourcedetails&id=145245
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van der Land, J.; Costello, M.J.; Zavodnik, D.; Santos, R.S.; Porteiro, F.M.; Bailly, N.; Eschmeyer, W.N.; Froese, R. (2001). Pisces, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 357-374
http://www.marbef.org/data/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1411
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Borges, P.A.V., Costa, A., Cunha, R., Gabriel, R., Gonçalves, V., Martins, A.F., Melo, I., Parente, M., Raposeiro, P., Rodrigues, P., Santos, R.S., Silva, L., Vieira, P. & Vieira, V. (Eds.) (2010). A list of the terrestrial and marine biota from the Azores. Princípia, Oeiras, 432 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/ascidiacea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149079
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Range
Occurs in the Atlantic Ocean (1), from Bermuda and the northern Gulf of Mexico, south to Brazil, and east to Ascension Island and the eastern Atlantic (2).
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Physical Description
Morphology
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 32; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 27 - 29
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Jenyns, L. 1842 Fish. In C. Darwin (ed.) The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832-1836. Smith, Elder & Co., London (in 4 parts): p. 1-32 (Jan. 1840); 33-64 (Jun. 1840); 65-96 (Apr. 1841); 97-172 (Apr. 1842). (Ref. 3157)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=3157&speccode=12932
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Size
Max. size
60.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 7251)); max. published weight: 5,440 g (Ref. 4699)
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Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray 1986 A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=7251&speccode=942
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International Game Fish Association 1991 World record game fishes. International Game Fish Association, Florida, USA. (Ref. 4699)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4699&speccode=2590
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Diagnostic Description
Greenish or bluish gray on back, orange-yellow on lower part of head and abdomen, with two broad diagonal curved bright blue bands running from snout to below and in front of pectoral fins, the lowermost continuous with a blue ring around lips; a broad blue bar across caudal peduncle, and blue sub-marginal bands in median fins (Ref. 13442).
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Jenyns, L. 1842 Fish. In C. Darwin (ed.) The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832-1836. Smith, Elder & Co., London (in 4 parts): p. 1-32 (Jan. 1840); 33-64 (Jun. 1840); 65-96 (Apr. 1841); 97-172 (Apr. 1842). (Ref. 3157)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=3157&speccode=12932
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Ecology
Habitat
Depth: 2 - 275m.
From 2 to 275 meters.
Habitat: reef-associated. May form schools, sometimes solitary over sand and grassy areas. Occurs at 28 °C. Feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates (Ref. 4727). It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks it where the spines are short (Ref. 9710). Excellent food fish but occasionally can cause intoxication due to the liver.
From 2 to 275 meters.
Habitat: reef-associated. May form schools, sometimes solitary over sand and grassy areas. Occurs at 28 °C. Feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates (Ref. 4727). It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks it where the spines are short (Ref. 9710). Excellent food fish but occasionally can cause intoxication due to the liver.
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Environment
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 275 m (Ref. 4727), usually 3 - 30 m (Ref. 40849)
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Tortonese, E. 1986 Balistidae. p. 1335-1337. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol. III. (Ref. 4727)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4727&speccode=19
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Gasparini, J.L. and S.R. Floeter 2001 The shore fishes of Trindade Island, western South Atlantic. J. Nat. Hist. 35:1639-1656. (Ref. 40849)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=40849&speccode=92
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Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Marine
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Depth range based on 316 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 254 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 1293
Temperature range (°C): 22.078 - 28.067
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.115 - 3.505
Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 37.096
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 5.017
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.039 - 0.286
Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 1293
Temperature range (°C): 22.078 - 28.067
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.115 - 3.505
Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 37.096
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 5.017
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.039 - 0.286
Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 254 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 1293
Temperature range (°C): 22.078 - 28.067
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.115 - 3.505
Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 37.096
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 5.017
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.039 - 0.286
Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 1293
Temperature range (°C): 22.078 - 28.067
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.115 - 3.505
Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 37.096
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 5.017
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.039 - 0.286
Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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The queen triggerfish inhabits coral reefs and nearby sandy and rubble areas, from shallow waters down to depths of 50 metres (3).
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Trophic Strategy
Found in coral reef environments, near the bottom, from shallow sandy or grassy areas to the upper slope of the reef. Employs different feeding behaviours to capture and manipulate different type of prey, for example, it uses suction feeding to capture worms and other soft prey, while it feeds on crabs and sea urchins by directly biting off parts of the prey (Ref. 45549). Sessile invertebrate feeder (Ref. 57616).
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Randall, J.E. 1967 Food habits of reef fishes of the West Indies. Stud. Trop. Oceanogr. Miami 5:665-847. (Ref. 33)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=33&speccode=12
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Balistes vetula
The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.
There are 7 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
Download FASTA File
There are 7 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
ACACGTTGACTCTTTTCAACTAACCATAAAGACATCGGCACCCTTTACCTAATCTTTGGTGCTTGGGCTGGGATAGTGGGCACAGCTTTA---AGCCTTCTAATCCGAGCAGAATTAAGCCAACCCGGCGCCCTTCTAGGCGAT---GATCAAATTTATAATGTTATCGTCACAGCACATGCTTTCGTGATAATTTTCTTTATAGTAATACCAATTATAATTGGAGGATTTGGAAACTGACTCATTCCCTTAATA---ATTGGAGCCCCCGACATGGCCTTCCCTCGAATAAATAATATGAGCTTCTGACTCCTTCCCCCTTCTTTACTCCTCCTCCTCGCTTCCTCAAGCGTAGAAGCTGGGGCCGGAACCGGATGAACAGTATATCCCCCTCTTGCAGGGAACCTCGCCCATGCAGGAGCCTCTGTTGATTTA---ACCATCTTTTCACTGCATCTAGCAGGGATCTCATCAATTCTAGGGGCAATTAATTTTATTACAACAATTATTAATATGAAACCCCCTGCCATTTCTCAATATCAAACACCATTGTTTGTCTGAGCAGTTCTAATTACAGCTGTTCTCCTCCTCCTATCCCTTCCCGTCCTAGCCGCC---GGAATTACAATACTCCTCACCGATCGAAACTTAAATACCACATTCTTTGATCCTGCAGGAGGTGGTGACCCCATCCTCTACCAACACCTATTTTGATTCTTTGGCCACCCCGAAGTATATATTCTTATTCTCCCTGGCTTCGGAATGATTTCCCACATTGTTGCCTATTATTCAGGTAAAAAA---GAACCCTTCGGTTATATAGGAATAGTCTGAGCCATGATGGCCATCGGCCTCCTTGGTTTTATCGTATGAGCCCACCACATGTTTACAGTCGGAATGGATGTTGACACCCGAGCCTATTTCACCTCTGCCACAATAATTATTGCAATTCCAACGGGGGTAAAAGTATTTAGCTGATTA---GCCACACTACACGGGGGC---GCAATTAAATGAGAAACTCCACTCTTATGAGCCCTAGGCTTTATTTTTCTGTTTACAGTAGGAGGCCTAACAGGTATTGTTTTAGCAAACTCATCACTTGATATTGTACTTCACGACACATACTATGTAGTAGCCCACTTCCATTACGTC---CTGTCAATGGGAGCCGTCTTCGCCATCGTTGCCGCCTTCGTCCACTGATTCCCCCTGTTTTCTGGTTATACCCTTCATAATACATGAACAAAAATTCACTTTGGAGTAATATTTGTTGGAGTCAACCTCACATTCTTCCCACAACACTTCCTAGGTTTAGCTGGAATGCCTCGA---CGCTACTCGGACTACCCTGATGCCTACACA---TTATGAAACACAGTTTCTTCAATTGGGTCTCTCGTATCTTTAGTGGCCGTAATTTTATTCCTGTTTATTATTTGAGAAGCATTTGCAGCCAAACGAGAAGTC---CTGTCCGTCGAACTTACTTCCACAAAC
-- end --
-- end --
Download FASTA File
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Balistes vetula
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 7
Specimens with Barcodes: 32
Species With Barcodes: 1
Public Records: 7
Specimens with Barcodes: 32
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
VU
Vulnerable
Red List Criteria
A2d
Version
2.3
Year Assessed
1996
- Needs updating
Assessor/s
Roberts, C.
Reviewer/s
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Status
Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).
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Threats
Vulnerable (VU) (A2d)
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IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006.
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073
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Little information is available on the status of the queen triggerfish, but it is known that this striking species is a commercially important food fish (5), vulnerable to trapping and spear-fishing (6). It may also be susceptible to the detrimental impacts of changes in the abundance of its primary food source; in 1983 and 1984, the sea urchin Diadema antillarum underwent massive mortality on reefs throughout the Caribbean. Luckily, the queen triggerfish shows some resilience to such events, as it was found that the fish sought out alternative prey species (5) (7).
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Management
Conservation
The queen triggerfish occurs in a number of protected marine areas throughout its range, such as Saba Marine Park and Hol Chan Marine Reserve in the Caribbean, of which some areas are designated no-fishing zones (8).
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Importance
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family
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International Game Fish Association 1991 World record game fishes. International Game Fish Association, Florida, USA. (Ref. 4699)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4699&speccode=2590
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Sadovy, Y. 1992 A preliminary assessment of the marine aquarium export trade in Puerto Rico. Proceedings of the Seventh International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam, Vol. 2, p. 1014-1021. (Ref. 12090)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=12090&speccode=3535
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Cervigón, F. and W. Fischer 1979 INFOPESCA. Catálogo de especies marinas de interes economico actual o potencial para América Latina. Parte 1. Atlántico centro y suroccidental. FAO/UNDP, SIC/79/1. 372 p. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 6077)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=6077&speccode=19
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Wikipedia
Queen Triggerfish
The queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a reef dwelling triggerfish of the Atlantic Ocean. It is occasionally caught as a gamefish, and sometimes kept in marine aquaria.
Contents |
Appearance
The queen triggerfish reaches 60 cm (24 in), though most only are about half that length.[1] It is typically blue, purple, turquoise and green with a yellowish throat, and light blue lines on the fins and head.[2] It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress.[2]
Ecology and range
The queen triggerfish is typically found at coral and rocky reefs in depths of 3–30 m (9.8–98 ft), but it can occur as deep as 275 m (902 ft) and sometimes over areas with sand or seagrass.[1]
In the West Atlantic, it ranges from Canada to southern Brazil, and in the East Atlantic it is found at Ascension, Cape Verde, Azores and south to Angola.[1] It is reasonably common in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.[2]
It preys on a variety of invertebrates, notably sea urchins.[2]
In the aquarium
As one of the largest and most aggressive of the triggerfish, this fish is rarely a good choice as a resident in a marine aquarium. It is however a hardy fish for those who can provide it with a proper environment. Because it grows so large and so quickly the ideal aquarium for this fish is a 500 gallon aquarium. Although some sources argue it can be kept in as little a tank as 125 gallons, when it achieves its adult size of two feet it is unlikely to thrive.
Its diet consists of invertebrates. In aquariums shrimp, squid, clams, octopus, scallops, and crab are all good choices of food.
Cuba
This fish is called cochino in Cuba,[3] and this is the probable origin of the name Bahía de Cochinos, which is known as the Bay of Pigs in English.
References
- ^ a b c Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). "Balistes vetula" in FishBase. June 2012 version.
- ^ a b c d Humann, P, and N. Deloach (2002). Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. 3rd edition, pp. 394.
- ^ Claro, Rodolfo; Juan P. García-Arteaga, Juan P.; Gobert, Bertrand; Cantelar Ramos, Karel (13 May 2003). "Tabla 2. Pesos y tallas mínimos legales en Cuba y proporción de peces con tallas inferiores en las capturas con chinchorros y nasas de la empresa pesquera de Caibarién." (pdf). Situación actual de los recursos pesqueros del Archipiélago Sabana-Camagüey, Cuba. Invemar. http://www.invemar.org.co/redcostera1/invemar/docs/Vol33/BIMC_33_03_Claro.pdf. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
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