Pseudobalistes fuscus

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Pseudobalistes fuscus
Baliste vermicule (Pseudobalistes fuscus) (Ifremer 00766-87767 - 46838).jpg
Pseudobalistes fuscus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Pseudobalistes
Species:
P. fuscus
Binomial name
Pseudobalistes fuscus
Synonyms
  • Balistes caerulescens, Rüppell, 1829 [2]
  • Balistes fuscus, Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  • Balistes rivulatus, Rüppell, 1837

Pseudobalistes fuscus (common names: blue triggerfish, rippled triggerfish, yellow-spotted triggerfish and blue-and-gold triggerfish) is a fish belonging to the family Balistidae. [2] [3]

Contents

Description

Juvenile Pseudobalistes fuscus2.jpg
Juvenile

Pseudobalistes fuscus can reach a length of 55 centimetres (22 inches) in males. The body is mainly brown, but fins have yellow margins. Juveniles are yellowish brown with a network of brilliant bluish wavy lines. With growth these lines become interconnected. [2]

This fish is known for its aggressiveness and many divers choose to stay away from them, as they bite often.

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to South Africa, Society Islands, southern Japan, Australia and New Caledonia. [2]

Habitat

Pseudobalistes fuscus is a reef-associated species. It prefers coastal waters, shallow lagoons and seaward reefs, at 30–50 metres (98–164 ft) of depth. [2]

Diet

This triggerfish, like most other triggerfish, eats shellfish, small crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrae. [2]

References

  1. Matsuura, K. (2022). "Pseudobalistes fuscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T193643A2252390. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T193643A2252390.en . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fishbase
  3. The Taxonomicon Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine