| Family: |
Balistidae (Triggerfishes) |
| Max. size: |
25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa eastward to western Thailand and Indonesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-35; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 27-30. Narrow white margin round caudal fin; live specimens bluish or violet (Ref. 4420).
Description: Characterized further by dark greyish-black head and body color; fins jet black in color; base of dorsal and anal fins with white band; front of eye with deep groove; corner of mouth to lower end of gill opening with 27-31 head scale rows; body scale rows from upper end of gill opening to caudal fin base 60-70; not prominent longitudinal ridges following scale rows of posterior body; truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coral-rich seaward reef slopes (Ref. 9710, 48637). Occurs singly (Ref. 9710). Digs holes below coral bases for shelter (Ref. 48637). Feeds on sponges, algae, crustaceans and small invertebrates (Ref. 5503). Caught with artisanal gear (Ref. 30573). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 January 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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