Abalistes stellatus

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Abalistes stellatus
Abalistes stellatus.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Abalistes
Species:A. stellatus
Binomial name
Abalistes stellatus
(Anonymous in Lacépède, 1798)

Abalistes stellatus is a member of the triggerfish family that occurs along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and along the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. [1]

Triggerfish family Balistidae, about 40 species of often brightly colored fishes

Triggerfishes are about 40 species of often brightly colored fish of the family Balistidae. Often marked by lines and spots, they inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, with the greatest species richness in the Indo-Pacific. Most are found in relatively shallow, coastal habitats, especially at coral reefs, but a few, such as the oceanic triggerfish, are pelagic. While several species from this family are popular in the marine aquarium trade, they are often notoriously ill-tempered.

Indian Ocean The ocean between Africa, Asia, Australia and Antarctica (or the Southern Ocean)

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi). It is bounded by Asia on the north, on the west by Africa, on the east by Australia, and on the south by the Southern Ocean or, depending on definition, by Antarctica.

Red Sea Arm of the Indian Ocean between Arabia and Africa

The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. To the north lie the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez. The Red Sea is a Global 200 ecoregion. The sea is underlain by the Red Sea Rift which is part of the Great Rift Valley.

Contents

Environment

Abalistes stellatus lives primarily in mud and silt; however, on sloping ground it often is found some distance above the surface. [1] It is generally found on deep coastal slopes. [1] Adults may be found in estuaries, and juveniles of the species spend much of their pre-adult life there for protection. [1] As a result of these varied habitats, adults range from 7–350 m in depth. [1]

Silt is granular material of a size between sand and clay, whose mineral origin is quartz and feldspar. Silt may occur as a soil or as sediment mixed in suspension with water and soil in a body of water such as a river. It may also exist as soil deposited at the bottom of a water body, like mudflows from landslides. Silt has a moderate specific area with a typically non-sticky, plastic feel. Silt usually has a floury feel when dry, and a slippery feel when wet. Silt can be visually observed with a hand lens, exhibiting a sparkly appearance. It also can be felt by the tongue as granular when placed on the front teeth.

Biology

Abalistes stellatus grows to be about 60 cm in length. [1] It has 25-27 dorsal rays (including spines) and 24-25 anal rays. [1] As well its body is dark gray fading to olive and is covered in small white spots. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Abalistes stellatus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2015-09-03.