Balistes vetula
| Balistes vetula | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Balistidae |
| Genus: | Balistes |
| Species: | B. vetula
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| Binomial name | |
| Balistes vetula | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Balistes vetula,thequeen triggerfishorold wife,is a species ofmarineray-finned fishbelonging to thetriggerfishfamily,Balistidae.This species is found in theAtlantic Ocean.It is occasionally caught as agamefish,and sometimes kept in very largemarine aquaria.
Taxonomy
[edit]Balistes vetulawas first formallydescribedin the10th edition ofSystema Naturaepublished in 1758 with itstype localitygiven asAscension Island.[3]In 1865Pieter Bleekerdesignated this species as thetype speciesof the genusBalistes.[4]Balistesis thetype genusof the family Balistidae, which is classified in thesuborderBalistoideiin theorderTetraodontiformes.[5]
Etymology
[edit]Balistes vetulais the type species of the genusBalistes,a name which refers to the first spine of the dorsal fin being locked in place by the erection of the shorter second trigger spine, and unlocked by depressing the second spine.Balistesis taken directly from the Italianpesca ballista,the "crossbow fish".Ballistaoriginally being a machine for throwing arrows. Thespecific namevetulameans "old woman" or "old wife", the Latincognateofvieja,a Spanish name used in Cuba for this species which was recorded by the Cuban naturalist Antonio Parra in 1787. This name apparently follows a Portuguese tradition of some larger fishes common names which allude to women.George Shawsaid “It is supposed to have obtained the popular title of Old Wife Fish from the appearance of the mouth when viewed in front, as well as from the slightly murmuring noise which it utters when first taken.”[6]
This fish is calledcochinoin Cuba,[7]and this is the probable origin of the nameBahía de Cochinos,which is known as theBay of Pigsin English.[citation needed]
Description
[edit]The queen triggerfish reaches 60 cm (24 in), though most only are about half that length.[2]It is typically blue, purple, turquoise and green with a yellowish throat, and light blue lines on the fins and head.[8]It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress.[8]
Distribution
[edit]In the westernAtlantic,it ranges fromCanadato southernBrazil,and in the easternAtlanticit is found atAscension,Cape Verde,Azoresand south toAngola.[2]It is reasonably common inFlorida,the Bahamasand theCaribbean.[8]
Ecology
[edit]The queen triggerfish is typically found at coral and rocky reefs in depths of 3–30 m (9.8–98.4 ft), but it can occur as deep as 275 m (902 ft) and sometimes over areas with sand orseagrass.[2]
It preys on a variety of invertebrates, notablysea urchins.[8]
References
[edit]- ^Liu, J.; Zapfe, G.; Shao, K.-T.; et al. (2016) [errata version of 2015 assessment]."Balistes vetula".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2015:e.T2539A97664057.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^abcdFroese, Rainer;Pauly, Daniel (eds.)."Balistes vetula".FishBase.June 2024 version.
- ^Eschmeyer, William N.;Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.)."Species in the genusBalistes".Catalog of Fishes.California Academy of Sciences.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Eschmeyer, William N.;Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.)."Genera in the family Balistidae".Catalog of Fishes.California Academy of Sciences.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes Classification".Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes.California Academy of Sciences.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Christopher Scharpf (21 August 2024)."Order TETRAODONTIFORMES: Families MOLIDAE, BALISTIDAE, MONACANTHIDAE, ARACANIDAE and OSTRACIIDAE".Christopher Scharpf.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Claro, Rodolfo; García-Arteaga, Juan P.; Gobert, Bertrand; Cantelar Ramos, Karel (2004)."Situación actual de los recursos pesqueros del Archipiélago Sabana-Camagüey, Cuba"(PDF).Bulletin of Marine and Coastal Research(in Spanish).33.INVEMAR:49–67.ISSN0122-9761.Archived(PDF)from the original on 26 February 2008.Retrieved14 April2011.
- ^abcdHumann, Paul; Deloach, Ned (2002).Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas(Third ed.). New World Publications. p. 394.ISBN978-1878348302.
External links
[edit]
- animal-world Page on queen triggerfish
- Aquarium Fish: Triggerfish
- Photos ofBalistes vetulaon Sealife Collection