Category: TROPICAL MARINE


4-20-16 Longnose Butterflyfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 20, 2016

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

Genus/species: Forcipiger longirostris

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Yellow with black upper head and silvery white below; extremely elongated snout; black spots on breast, spot on anal fin below tail base. Individuals occasionally turn dark brown, a color phase that does not seem to be related to sex or reproduction. 

Length up to 22 cm (8.5 in)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Indonesia, Philippines, Hawaii, French Polynesia Japan to Great Barrier Reef. Non-migratory; usually found, in the outer reefs from 3–70 m (9-210 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: F. longirostris has elongate jaws to feed on a wide range of predominantly attached, benthic invertebrate prey. It is thought that the ‘‘manipulation’’ method is used by butterflyfishes to grip and remove pieces from polychaetes, nemerteans, corals, ascidians, echinoids, hydroids, and other attached prey.
Suction is used when feeding on mobile prey.

REPRODUCTION : Monogamous; form breeding pairs. Ovoviparous, broadcast spawners, with eggs and larvae passing through an extended planktonic stage.

CONSERVATION IUCN Red list Least Concern (LC)

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625119200613/with/3142848709/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/5585

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/165667/0

Encyclopedia of Life  eol.org/pages/204372/details

Waikīkī Aquarium www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/animal-guide/fishes/bu...

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

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4-18-16 Bannerfish aka False Moorish Idol from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 18, 2016

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

Genus/species: Heniochus diphreutes 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Their color is white with pair of black bands, second band terminating at end of anal fin. There is an elongate dorsal fin filament. All species have a deep, laterally compressed body with a continuous dorsal fin and distinctive rounded anal fin. The mouth is small, terminal, and protrusible with small brushlike teeth.

Length to 21 cm (8 inches)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific; widely distributed from the Red Sea and the east coast of Africa to Hawaii on outer reef slopes, 15–210 m (50-690 ft.) in the tropics typically in cool upwelling water.

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton.

REPRODUCTION: Oviparous forming pairs during breeding.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern (LC)

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REMARKS: Form large schools, and also occur in small groups or solitary. Their elongate dorsal fin filament, gives this group of fishes their “bannerfish” moniker; is the fourth dorsal spine. Often called the “false” Moorish Idol for its markings similar to the Steinhart’s iconic species; however, the flowing dorsal fin and larger size of the Idol are distinctive differentiations.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625119200613/with/4714776293/

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

fishbase www.fishbase.us/tools/UploadPhoto/start.php?speccode=7769

EOL eol.org/pages/213588/details

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4-14-16 Double Whiptail from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — 1 Comment
April 14, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)

Genus/species: Pentapodus emeryii

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Violet blue with two electric yellow horizontal stripes. They have a long, slender body and are sometimes known as Banana fish or the Banana Snapper.

 Length: 30.0 cm (12 inches)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-West Pacific. Found in Lagoons and coastal reefs greater than 20m (65 feet). 

DIET IN THE WILD: Small fishes, crustaceans, ophiuroids and sipunculid worms.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern

 

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References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/6179759332/in/album-72157625992053826/

Encyclopedia of Life: eol.org/pages/205344/details

IUCN  www.iucnredlist.org/details/155300/0

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1g1

fishbase: http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Pentapodus-emeryii.html

 

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4-13-16 Jeweled Blenny aka Eyelash Blenny from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

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

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies)

GENUS/SPECIES: Salarias fasciatus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The head has small, branched supraorbital and nuchal filamentous skin projections (cirri). The body is usually olive to brown with dark bars and a large number of round or elongated white spots of different sizes with several dusky bands.

Length up to about 12 cm (4.75 in).

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Indo-Pacific. Found in intertidal areas to a few meters in-depth on reef flats and in shallow lagoons and estuaries.

DIET IN THE WILD: Algae eaters; tend to be territorial about feeding areas.

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REPRODUCTION: Oviparous; form pairs and guard nests.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not evaluated

REMARKS: Tends to hop from rock to rock looking for food. Its nickname “Lawnmower Blenny” comes from its prodigious and efficient algal consumption using comb-like teeth that line the jaws.

References

California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/6058

EOL  eol.org/pages/1004162/details

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/6058

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/8748640285/in/album-72157625992053826/

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

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4-12-16 Scalefin Anthias aka Lyretail Fairy Basslet from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 12, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Subfamily: Anthiinae (Anthias)

Genus/species: Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Male below

Scalefin Anthias aka Lyretail Fairy Basslet (male) IMG_0111

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Males can get at least 5”. Females slightly smaller. Color patterns vary from one locality to another. Marked sexual dimorphism; Males often fuchsia in color with elongated third ray of the dorsal fin, a red patch on the pectoral fin and elongated margins of the tail. Females orange/gold color with violet streak below the eye.

Female below

Scalefin Anthias aka Lyretail Fairy Basslet (female) 9830744184_8184c027fd_k

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Natal, South Africa to Niue, north to Japan, south to Australia. Found above coral outcrops or patch reefs of clear lagoons, channels, or outer reef slopes. depth range 0 – 55 m (170 feet).

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton

REPRODUCTION: A protogynous hermaphrodite. All start life as females. The dominant fish will turn into a male, changing sex, and color and pattern. The male keeps a harem of several females.

CONSERVATION:  Not evaluated

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608545590153/with/3123885371/

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

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/6568

Australian Museum australianmuseum.net.au/orange-basslet-pseudanthias-squam…

Encyclopedia Of Life eol.org/pages/204729/details

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4-11-16 Squarespot Anthias from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS, CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 11, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia 
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) 
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes) 
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Subfamily: Anthiinae (Anthias)
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3-7-16 Bluegirdled Angelfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: ANGELFISHES, CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 7, 2016

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

Genus/Species:  Pomacanthus navarchus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Bright yellow to orange body and face, contrasted with intense deep beautiful blues. It’s named for its color pattern which suggests a girdled appearance that is strengthened with outlines of vibrant neon blues.

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Length up to 29.97 cm (11.8 inches)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo Pacific Ocean from the Maldives to Vanuatu then northward to the Yaeyama Islands and it is also found in Palau and Krosae in Micronesia. They inhabit areas with heavy coral growth such as clear lagoons, protected outer reef slopes, and channels.  Depth range 3 – 40 m.

DIET IN THE WILD: Omnivore, sponges and tunicates are their main food but also fond of algae.

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REPRODUCTION: Hermaphroditic, visibly you cannot tell the difference between males and females.

Longevity: 15 years in the wild.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List: LC – Least Concern.

REMARKS: P. navarchus secretes a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin providing protection against parasites and infections and helps it move faster.

References

California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016

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

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157606840726733/

fishbase  http://fishbase.org/summary/Pomacanthus-navarchus.html

EOL  http://eol.org/pages/994430/details

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3-31-16 Lamarck’s Angelfish aka Blackstriped Angelfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: ANGELFISHES, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 31, 2016

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

Genus/species: Genicanthus lamarck

Genicanthus lamarck 3193591354_41bdf27969_b

female above

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Sexually dimorphic; white or silver body with horizontal black stripes from eye to speckled lyre tails. Females have bolder stripes, one extending into the tail. Males have a yellow spot on the forehead, longer more pointed caudal fin and jet black pelvic fins; females’, white.

Maximum length: 25 cm (10 in)

male below

Genicanthus lamarck 25852806440_d352c49ff6_k

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific reef dweller. They prefer the top to middle of their depth range 15–35m, (30-100 ft) unlike most other angelfish.

DIET IN THE WILD: G. lamarck are also the only group of angelfish that feed on plankton.

REPRODUCTION: Males maintain harems, scatter pelagic eggs after mid-water mating rituals. The eggs and larvae drift, then settle onto the reef at the time of metamorphosis to the juvenile stage.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least concern (LC)

REMARKS: Males and females are so distinct the sexes were once considered separate species. One of the few angelfish to display sexual dimorphism. Their genus, Genicanthus, is distinctive among angelfish for their lyre tails, an adaptation to open water, fast swimming.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  wp.me/p1DZ4b-1co

EOL eol.org/pages/218646/details

fishbase  fishbase.org/summary/6612

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3142850563/in/album-72157625992053826/

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3-29-16 Emperor Angelfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: ANGELFISHES, CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — 1 Comment
March 29, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class; Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)

Genus/species: Pomacanthus imperator

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Juveniles have concentric white circles, also distinguished by a white dorsal fin margin. The adult pattern emerges at about 10 cm (4 in): vivid. It has alternating yellow and blue stripes and yellow tail; blue edged eye mask, broad blue-edged black bar behind head. A long stout preopercular spine is present on the gill cover that is common to angelfishes. 

 Length to 40 cm (16 in).

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific.  Juveniles are solitary found under ledges and holes of outer lagoon patch reefs or semiprotected areas of exposed channels and reef flats. Adults occur near ledges and caves in regions of robust coral growth on clear lagoon, channel or seaward reefs to 70 m. Adults typically in male/female pair or solitary.

DIET IN THE WILD: P. imperator feed on sponges and other encrusting organisms such as tunicates. Young and adults may clean much larger fishes such as sunfish.

REPRODUCTION:  Males will have 2 or more females in their harem.  The male meets the female several times at the same spot before rising.The spawning ascent  is upwards for 3 – 9 meters. The male stays with the female for a while after swimming down from the rise and then departs across the reef (probably after the next female. The larvae float in a planktonic stage for a few weeks before turning into fry.

LONGEVITY: More than 5 years in captivity.

CONSERVATION: IUCN: Least concern.

REMARKS: When alarmed, can produce low-frequency drumlike noises that are loud enough to startle divers.  Young and adults may clean much larger fishes such as sunfish.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3308685675/in/set-72157606840726733/

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

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/6504

Arkive www.arkive.org/emperor-angelfish/pomacanthus-imperator/

Australian Museum  australianmuseum.net.au/Emperor-Angelfish-Pomacanthus-imp…


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3-28-16 Lemonpeel Angelfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 28, 2016

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

Genus/species: Centropyge flavissima

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Yellow dwarf angelfish with blue eye ring, blue margin to the opercular cover and to dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. A preopercular spine common to angelfishes is present.

Max. size: 14 cm (5.5 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: West-central Pacific among coral reefs in shallow lagoons.

DIET IN THE WILD The Lemonpeel Angelfish feed on algae and corals.

REPRODUCTION: As with other dwarf angels, they are sequential protogynous hermaphrodites. They start out sexually undifferentiated, develop into females, and with environmental influences, may develop into males. Males are typically larger.

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LONGEVITY: Reported 11 years in captivity.

CONSERVATION:  IUCN Least concern (LC)

REMARKS: The Juvenile Acanthurus pyroferus (Mimic Surgeonfish) is a mimic surgeonfish or tang. It looks similar to the adult Centropyge flavissima (an angelfish) which is presumably an advantage as the adult angelfish has a sharp preopercular spine, while the young Mimic Surgeonfish has small, ineffective immature peduncular spines.

 

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

The Australian Museum australianmuseum.net.au/lemonpeel-angelfish-centropyge-fl…

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

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/165878/0

flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/6764335749/in/set-72157606840726733/

EOL  http://eol.org/pages/210322/details

fishbase   http://www.fishbase.se/summary/5457

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