Category: INDO-PACIFIC


6-13-16 Quoy’s Parrotfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
June 13, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Scaridae

Genus/species: Scarus quoyi

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Parrotfishes are wrasse-shaped but more heavy-bodied. The main difference is the structure of their mouth. Wrasses have individual teeth, but parrot fish teeth are actually fused together, forming a beak. 

Mature males are blue-green with pinkish scale margins. The operculum is orange dorsally and violet ventrally. There is a patch of blue-green on the cheek and across the snout. – female Greenblotch Parrotfish are pale grey-brown with five or six faint white bars on the body.

Length up to 28 cm.

Quoy’s Parrotfish20793038334_af78ec0ed9_k

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found from the Maldives to Vanuatu, extending northwards to Ryukyu Islands, Japan and southwards to New Caledonia inhabiting coral-rich areas of outer channels and seaward reefs.

DIET IN THE WILD:  Herbivorous, feeds on algae from rocky substrates.

REPRODUCTION: Parrotfishes are pelagic spawners. They release buoyant eggs which become part of the plankton floating freely, eventually settling into the coral until hatching.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern (LC)

REMARKS: A recent study has discovered that the parrotfish is extremely important for the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It is the only one of thousands of reef fish species that regularly performs the task of scraping and cleaning inshore coral reefs.

Note: S. quoyi does not feed on coral algae thus does not destroy coral , which is why it can be present in the Philippine coral reef exhibit exhibit. (Charles Delbeek M.Sc. Assistant Curator, Steinhart Aquarium California Academy of Sciences)

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016 (Vetted, Charles Delbeek Academy assistant curator)

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/20793038334/in/album-72157625992053826/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1HR

Australian Museum  australianmuseum.net.au/greenblotch-parrotfish-scarus-quoyi

Australian Geographic http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2014/09/single-keystone-species-may-be-key-to-reef-health

Encyclopedia of Life:  eol.org/California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016pages/1012771/details

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=5554&g…

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6-8-16 Many-Spotted Sweetlips from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
June 8, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts) bottom-feeding predators, named for their ability to produce sound by grinding their teeth.

Genus/species  Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides  

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Juveniles brown with large white blotches. Becomes more spotted with age, reversing from white to black spotted in the process. Deeper bodies compared to most others in the genus

Length is up to 72 cm (29 inches) and weight to 7,000 g (15.5 pounds)

Spotted Sweetlips IMG_0501

 DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT Indo-West Pacific oceans. Inhabits coral-rich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs. 1 – 30 m (3-90 ft).

 

DIET IN THE WILD: Carnivore. Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes at night.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not evaluated

References

California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625992053826/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink    http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-nP

fishbase fishbase.org/summary/Plectorhinchus-chaetodonoides.html

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6-7-16 Oriental Sweetlips from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
June 7, 2016

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:  Chordata
Class:  Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Haemulidae (Grunts)

GENUS/SPECIES  Plectorhinchus vittatus

 

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS; Juveniles are reddish-brown with white or cream-colored blotches at a size of less than 13 cm (5.1 inches). Adults have prominent lips and boldly patterned. White with black lines that extend onto the belly Lips and fins are yellow with spotted dorsal, anal and tail fins.

Length up to 86 cm (33.9 inches)

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukus, south to Mauritius and New Caledonia.  Found in clear lagoons, reef channels, reef faces and slopes at depths of 5 to 80 feet.   

 DIET IN THE WILD:  P. vittatus  are bottom feeding carnivores preferring crustaceans, mollusks and small fish they can swallow whole. 

 REPRODUCTION: Oviparous

 CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Not Evaluated

 

 

CONSERVATION: Not evaluated

References

 California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016

 fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/Plectorhinchus-vittatus.html

 EOL  eol.org/pages/988173/details

 Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625992053826/

Ron’sWordpress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-Aq

 

 

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6-3-16 Blue-Spotted Spinefoot from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
June 3, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and Spinefoots)

Genus/species: Siganus corallinus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Color is yellow with numerous small blue spots on the head and body and a dark triangular area above and behind the eye.  Like all rabbitfishes, they have small, rabbit-like mouths, large dark eyes, and a shy temperament, thus their common name.

Length up to 30 cm (12 in)

Blue-Spotted Spinefoot Siganus corallinus (tetrazonus)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-West Pacific among corals of lagoon and protected reefs at 3–30 m (10-100 ft).

IMG_9983

DIET IN THE WILD: Benthic algae.

IUCN RED LIST Not Evaluated

REMARKS: Rabbitfishes have fin spines with venom glands that can inflict painful, though not life-threatening wounds; aquarists should take care as the genus is easily frightened and readily takes defensive action.

IMG_9984

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

fishbase:  www.fishbase.se/summary/4611

Australian Museum  australianmuseum.net.au/coral-rabbitfish-siganus-corallinus

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608339530941/with/3222318704/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-Ow

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5-31-16 Barhead Spinefoot from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC — Leave a comment
May 31, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and Spinefoots)

Genus/species: Siganus virgatus

Barhead Spinefoot 4533131275_6ac3dc18ab_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Yellow above, white below with yellow dorsal and caudal fins; blue markings on head and back. The eyes are masked by a black stripe that extends from the bottom of the mouth to the top of the head, and a brown band running diagonally from nape to chin.

Length up to 11.8 inches

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical west Pacific in shallow coastal waters, around hard coral reefs and areas of sand with patches of rock and soft coral. Tolerant of murky waters. Depth 1–15 m (3-45 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: Feeds on benthic seaweeds

REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawner

MORTALITY: Stout venomous spines discourage would-be predators.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List  Not evaluated

REMARKS : Fins and spines are venomous. Caution must be used when handling. Reactions can range from mild to severe
Named rabbitfish due to their voracious appetite.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4533131275/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fn

EOL http://eol.org/pages/206659/details

fishbase http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4624

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5-26-16 Blotched Foxface Rabbitfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
May 26, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and Spinefoots) 

Genus/species: Siganus unimaculatus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:   A dark chocolate ocular band occurs in an arc from base of 1st dorsal spine to chin with a narrow white blaze on midline of head profile. The thorax is dark chocolate and thee remainder of body is yellow-orange. Same as the Foxface Rabbitfish (S. vulpinus) except for the black spot or ‘blotch” on posterior upper side of body on S. unimaculatus.

Length up to 24 cm (9.5 inches)

Blotched Foxface Rabbitfish 13717964414_50be7e63d0_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands of Japan, the Philippines, to western Australia. Found in coral rich areas of lagoon often among stag horn corals and seaward reefs to depth of 30 m (98 ft).

Blotched Foxface Rabbitfish13717573555_6773f7d8a1_b

 DIET IN THE WILD: Diurnal herbivore of algae and zooplankton

REPRODUCTION: Spawns during outgoing tides.

 CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated

REMARKS: Rabbitfishes are named for their voracious appetites. They have  venomous spines on dorsal and anal fins, as do all in the genus.

Also they are highly esteemed as a food fish

Some researchers believe S. unimaculatus and S. vulpinus are a single species. The color is the same as in except for the blackish spot posteriorly on the upper side of the body.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/13717964414/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/4630

EOL eol.org/pages/221694/hierarchy_entries/44731451/details

Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fs

 

 

 

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5-25-16 Gold-Spotted Spinefoot from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
May 25, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes, similar noses)

Genus/species: Siganus punctatus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The body is highly compressed with blue dark edged orange spots on the head and caudal fin. The eye has a silver iris. Adults are typically paired.  Like all rabbitfishes S. punctatus possess venomous spines.

Length: up to 40.0 cm (15 in)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Western Pacific. Found in clear lagoon and seaward reefs from 1–40 m (3,2-130 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: Benthic algae/weeds

REPRODUCTION:  Fertilization is external; open water, substratum egg scatterers. Spawn in pairs.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Not Evaluated

REMARKS: Venomous spines

  

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608339530941/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-xU

fishbase: www.fishbase.org/summary/4621

Australia Museum: australianmuseum.net.au/Spotted-Rabbitfish-Siganus-punctatus

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5-24-16 Orange-spotted Spinefoot from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
May 24, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes) 
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and spine-foots)

Genus/species: Siganus guttatus

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Siganus guttatus has a Head with lines and spots. It is silvery ventrally and dusky blue dorsally, with numerous orange-gold spots and a large yellow spot below rear base of dorsal fin. 

Length to 42 cm (16.5 inches)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in East Indo-Pacific to 25 m (75 ft) in inner lagoons, turbid coastal reefs, mangroves and brackish waters. Typically in large groups of conspecifics.

DIET IN THE WILD: These fish are hearty eaters feeding primarily on algae and seagrasses, though are known to nip on large-polyp stony corals as well as soft corals.

REPRODUCTION: Spawners. Fry settles in seagrass beds around river mouths.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated 

REMARKS: Highly esteemed as a food fish.
The spines of rabbitfishes (Siganidae) are venomous, and can inflict painful wounds.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608339530941/

WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-GK

EOL eol.org/pages/2804181/hierarchy_entries/44731406/details

fishbase fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=4588

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5-16-16 Bluestreak Fusilier from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
May 16, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Caesionidae (Fusiliers)

Genus/species: Pterocaesio tile

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The body is elongate.  There is a broad iridescent blue mid-lateral band; dark olive above which becomes bright red along lower half of body at night. 

Length up to 30 cm (12 in)

BluestreakFusilier14026993384_d5edd89351_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Elongate body. Broad iridescent blue mid-lateral band; dark olive above. Turns bright red along lower half of body at night. Max. size: 30 cm (12 inches).

BluestreakFusilier14003634876_69545bce85_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesas, Japan, New Caledonia, and throughout Micronesia. Found on outer reef slopes and in clear, deep lagoons, to 60 m (180 ft) depth.

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton

REPRODUCTION Oviparous; small pelagic eggs.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated

REMARKS: Caught commercially, primarily as tuna bait fish

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/14026993384/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fU

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/PTEROCAESIO-TILE.html

Encyclopedia of Life  http://eol.org/pages/223543/details

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5-10-16 Yellow and Blueback Fusilier from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
May 10, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Caesionidae (Fusiliers)

Genus/species: Caesio teres

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Slender, torpedo shaped body, silvery-blue, yellow from back to lower tail base and tail, pectoral fin base black. The mouth is small and terminal and the tail is deeply forked.

Length to 40 cm (16 in)

Caesio teres8477578148_39ede11254_k

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Micronesia, Samoa and Line Islands; southwestern Japan to Great Barrier Reef, Australia over upper edges of steep slopes, coastal seaward and patch reefs to 5–50 m (15-150 ft), with a preference for coralline lagoons.

Caesio teres 5299352140_8e18740b03_b

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton.

REPRODUCTION: C. teres spawns near the surface in deep channels during an outgoing tide at sunset or a full moon. They are oviparous. The eggs are buoyant, spherical and pelagic.

CONSERVATION: IUCN; not evaluated

REMARKS: Congregate in large aggregations, often with other species of fusilier fishes.

CONSERVATION: IUCN; Not Evaluated

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fM

EOL  eol.org/pages/1012924/overview

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/8477578148/in/album-72157625992053826/

 

 

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