Canthidermis maculata

Last updated

Spotted oceanic triggerfish or Rough triggerfish
XRF-Canthidermis maculata.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Canthidermis
Species:
C. maculata
Binomial name
Canthidermis maculata
Bloch, 1786
Canthidermis maculata Canthidermis maculata.jpg
Canthidermis maculata

Canthidermis maculata, also known as rough triggerfish or spotted oceanic triggerfish, is a species of triggerfish native to the tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Unlike most triggerfish, they are mostly pelagic.

Contents

In the Philippines, it is locally called as Tikos in the Cebuano language and is abundant in the Visayas and Mindanao island groups.

Distribution and habitat

It range in the western Pacific Ocean ranges from the Gulf of Thailand north to the Yellow Sea and Japan. [1] The range in the Pacific Ocean extends to the Philippines, Indonesia, and all the way to Polynesia and Hawaii. [1] In the eastern Pacific Ocean, They are found from Mexico and around the Gulf of California down to Peru and the Galapagos Islands. [1] Around the Indian Ocean, it ranges from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to Seychelles, the Maldives, the Persian Gulf, India, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Sea, Australia, and Indonesia. [1] Populations in the Atlantic Ocean range from New York down to the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean Sea and down to Brazil in the western side. [1] Around the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it ranges from the British Isles and the Bay of Biscay to Azores, the Canary Islands and western Africa. [1] Some populations are also found in South Africa. [1] The spotted oceanic triggerfish inhabits warm waters high in biodiversity, characterized by strong surface currents and upwelling systems (Lezama-Ochoa et al., 2016). It can be found on deep slopes right offshore, open water (Matsuura, 2001) and under fish aggregating devices (FADs) where they have been seen in groups of hundreds or thousands (Taquet et al., 2007).

Description

The maximum length for this species is 50 centimetres (20 in) but usually grows up to 35 centimetres (14 in). [1] Adults and juveniles have different coloration. [1] [2] Adults are blue grayish while juveniles are grayish black with white spots that fade over age. [2] Adults may be seen with dark blotches appearing on the face and pectoral fins during mating. These dark markings are also present on females hovering above their nests and may disappear within a few seconds once they ascend upwards in the water column, away from their nest (Clark et al., 2014). In this fish, the dorsal and anal fins are curved on the back. The dorsal fin of this species has from 23 to 27 rays. [2] The first dorsal fin’s rays are spinous, with the first two rays more like sharp thorns. The smaller second thorn props up the longer first thorn giving it the appearance of a trigger, after which the fish is named (Tupongov, 2015). Its anal fin has 20 to 27 rays. [2] Adults and juveniles also have different caudal fin shapes. Juveniles have rounded caudal fins and adults have concave ones. [2]

Ecology

Canthidermis maculata are noted hosts of sea lice (Copepoda: Caligidae) in the Neotropical region (Morales-Serna et al., 2016). Additionally, they have been recorded as visitors of cleaning stations hosted by the black-nosed butterflyfish, Johnrandallia nigrirostris, and the Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia, at Malpelo island in tropical eastern pacific (Quimbayo et al., 2016).

Diet

Spotted oceanic triggerfish display plasticity in their eating habits, being considered either a carnivorous or a planktivorous fish. Upon examination, they consume smaller fish, Halobates (sea skaters), members of the order “Siphonophores,” and smaller cartilaginous fish (Senta et al., 1993).

Predation

The oceanic triggerfish falls prey to large pelagic fish such as the Indo-Pacific Sailfish (Varghese et al., 2013), the dolphinfish (Mahi-mahi) (Oxenford et al., 1999), and sea birds such as Streaked Shearwaters which are found in Japan (Matsumoto et al., 2012). Additionally, eggs in nests that are not defended by a mother oceanic triggerfish are known to be preyed upon by smaller opportunistic fish such as the goatfish, Parupeneus multifasciatus, the checkerboard wrasse, Halichoeres hortulanus, as well as other triggerfish such as the orange-lined triggerfish, Balistapus undulates, and the titan triggerfish, Balistapus viridescens (Clark et al., 2014).

Behavior

Canthidermis maculata are known to gather in large groups, hundreds and sometimes thousands (Taquet et al., 2007) and are frequently associated with FADs. [2] These aggregations may also include other species such as the sleek unicorn surgeonfish, Naso hexacanthus. Oceanic triggerfish are currently thought to move as a group, migrating together from the open ocean to shallower waters for nesting purposes, and returning together to the open ocean once nesting is complete. They are typically nonaggressive, shy, and easily scared away from their nests when confronted by bigger fish such as the titan triggerfish, and divers. It is likely, due to diver observations of courtship patterns, that only female oceanic triggerfish exhibit nest guarding behaviors and though easily scared away by larger fish, will defend their nest from smaller carnivorous fish such as goatfish and wrasse (Clark et al., 2014).

Importance to humans

This fish species shows some importance to commercial fishing. [1] The spotted oceanic triggerfish, like other triggerfish, is sold at local markets in coastal Asian countries as a fish to be eaten. These triggerfish are not typically fished for specifically but rather are caught as by-catch in tuna purse seine fishing and on longlines (Sethi et al., 2011; Lezama-Ochoa et al., 2016, Matsuura, 2001). Additionally, the spotted oceanic triggerfish is sold in the aquarium trade. [1]

There have been reports of ciguatera poisoning in some humans that consumed the fish. [1]

Fishermen living in the town of Kinniya, [3] Sri Lanka, use this species in marine fish production. [4]

Development

Once Canthidermis maculata has laid its nest of eggs, the eggs incubate for 33-36 hours. After incubation, the larvae hatch during the night and immediately swim towards the surface in a likely attempt to avoid discovery by potential predators. Once at the surface, wind and currents (Alevizon, 1976) are suspected to carry the larvae into the open ocean, thus explaining the uneven distribution of larvae and juveniles in the spotted oceanic triggerfish’s range (Clark et al., 2014). In the open ocean, larvae and juveniles aggregate around FADs such as Sargassum, floating seaweed, and other debris until adulthood (Clark et al., 2014).

Breeding and nesting

Adults pair up and breed. [1]

Canthidermis maculata nesting is unlikely to be impacted by lunar cycle and has been determined to occur year-round. Eggs are deposited in sand and/or coral rubble, shallowly buried beneath the sand, and are both aerated and guarded by the mother. Frequently, many nests are located near one another, supporting the idea that these triggerfish nest as a group. It is unclear how often a female nests per year and whether or not it returns to the same nest or builds new nests in its habitat range. Additionally, nests have been found at depths ranging from 4 meters to over 45 meters, with the deeper nests being considered a defensive strategy against titan triggerfish (Clark et al., 2014) which nest at shallower depths and are known to be territorial when nesting (Randall et al., 1990).

Conservation status

The worldwide populations of Canthidermis maculata are considered stable and the IUCN considers this species of the conservation status: least concern.


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triggerfish</span> Family of ray-finned fishes

Triggerfish 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clown triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The clown triggerfish, also known as the bigspotted triggerfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Balistidae, or commonly called triggerfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redtoothed triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The Redtoothed triggerfish is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area, and the sole member of its genus. Some other common names include blue triggerfish, redfang triggerfish, redtoothed filefish, and Niger triggerfish.

<i>Pseudobalistes fuscus</i> Species of fish

Pseudobalistes fuscus is a fish belonging to the family Balistidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The titan triggerfish, giant triggerfish or moustache triggerfish is a large species of triggerfish found in lagoons and at reefs to depths of 50 m (160 ft) in most of the Indo-Pacific, though it is absent from Hawaii. With a length of up to 75 centimetres (30 in), it is the largest species of triggerfish in its range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loggerhead sea turtle</span> Species of marine reptile distributed throughout the world

The loggerhead sea turtle is a species of oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) in carapace length when fully grown. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (298 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb). The skin ranges from yellow to brown in color, and the shell is typically reddish brown. No external differences in sex are seen until the turtle becomes an adult, the most obvious difference being the adult males have thicker tails and shorter plastrons than the females.

<i>Melichthys</i> Genus of fishes

Melichthys is a small genus in the triggerfish family (Balistidae). Member species are found in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and even the Red Sea. The Black triggerfish is the largest species in this genus at 45 cm in length and the Indian triggerfish is the smallest at 25 cm. Melichthys niger and Melichthys indicus are similar in appearance and are often confused.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green sea turtle</span> Species of large sea reptile

The green sea turtle, also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle or Pacific green turtle, is a species of large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it is also found in the Indian Ocean. The common name refers to the usually green fat found beneath its carapace, not to the color of its carapace, which is olive to black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-lined triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The orange-lined triggerfish is a demersal triggerfish. Although Balistapus is a monotypic genus, it is closely related to the genus Balistoides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The grey triggerfish, or gray triggerfish, is a species of ray-finned fish in the triggerfish family. The species is native to shallow parts of the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina and also the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and off Angola on the west coast of Africa.

<i>Cantherhines dumerilii</i> Species of fish

Cantherhines dumerilii is a species of fish in the family Monacanthidae, the filefishes. Its common names include whitespotted filefish, barred filefish, orange-fin file, and yelloweye leatherjacket. It is distributed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans where it is found on coral reefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackbelly triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The blackbelly triggerfish is a ray-finned fish in the family Balistidae found in the Indo-Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It is sometimes known as the blackpatch triggerfish.

<i>Sufflamen bursa</i> Species of fish

Sufflamen bursa the Lei Triggerfish is also known as the bursa triggerfish, scythe triggerfish or boomerang triggerfish, is a triggerfish from the Indo-Pacific. Its name is derived from the two markings behind its eyes that wrap around the fish similar to a Hawaiian Lei. The color of these markings changes depending on the fish's mood, in which case the colors may alter from yellow, dark brown, and black. It is a species of reef fish found in reef ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, Australia, and Hawaii. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

<i>Canthidermis</i> Genus of fishes

Canthidermis is a genus of triggerfishes commonly known as ocean triggerfishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-spotted spinefoot</span> Species of fish

The blue-spotted spinefoot, the coral rabbitfish, coral spinefoot, ocellated spinefoot or orange spinefoot, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a rabbitfish belonging to the family Siganidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific where it is often caught as a food fish and occasionally as an aquarium fish.

<i>Stephanolepis cirrhifer</i> Species of fish

Stephanolepis cirrhifer, commonly known as the thread-sail filefish, is a species of marine fish in the family Monacanthidae. It is found in the western Pacific, in an area that ranges from northern Japan to the East China Sea, to Korea. Other common names for the fish include kawahagi (カワハギ,皮剥) (Japanese) and “쥐치” "Jwi-chi" (Korean). The fish grows to a maximum length of about 12 inches, and consumes both plant material and small marine organisms like skeleton shrimp. S. cirrhifer is host of the parasite Peniculus minuticaudae. Some minor genetic differentiation between S. cirrhifer born in the wild and those bred in a hatchery for consumer use has been shown. The fish is edible and sold commercially for culinary purposes in many Asian countries.

<i>Chilomycterus reticulatus</i> Species of fish

Chilomycterus reticulatus, the spotfin burrfish, spotted burrfish, Pacific burrfish, spotfin porcupinefish or few-spined porcupinefish, is a species of fish in the genus Chilomycterus, which is part of the porcupinefish family Diodontidae.

<i>Lethrinus lentjan</i> Species of fish

Lethrinus lentjan is a species of emperor fish. It has a distinctive blood-red colouration around the margin of the gill covers. It is widespread around the Indo-West Pacific, and is reef-associated. This species is fished commercially and for sport.

<i>Abalistes filamentosus</i> Species of fish

Abalistes filamentosus is a triggerfish of the genus Abalistes. It is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and in subtropical waters. It lives in the Pelagic-Neritic zone of the ocean between 61–180 meters deep. It is harmless to humans.

Rhinecanthus lunula, commonly known as the halfmoon picassofish, is a species of balistid triggerfish first described by John E. Randall and Roger C. Steene in 1983. It belongs to the Indo-Pacific triggerfish genus Rhinecanthus.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Canthidermis maculata" in FishBase . December 2014 version.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 DiscoverLife."Canthidermis maculata (Bloch, 1786)" Retrieved on December 14, 2014
  3. "Canthidermis maculata in Kinniya, Sri Lanka". YouTube. August 5, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  4. "The photograph of Canthidermis maculata, August 2018". Independent Travellers. independent-travellers.com. Retrieved January 17, 2019.