Category: TROPICAL MARINE


3-24-16 Flame Angelfish from Ron’s Tropical Reef Series

Filed under: ANGELFISHES, CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 24, 2016

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

Genus/species: Centropyge loricula

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Typically bright orange-red color;black blotch near the head and 4–5 black bars across the body; flaring caudal fin about half the body height. Orange-red dorsal and anal fins tipped in alternating purple-blue and black bands. Males are brighter and larger than females.

Max. length: 15 cm (6 in).

Centropyge loricula14041213549_e949c9ebca_k

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found among tropical lagoons and coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Depth from 15–60 m (45-180 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: The Flame Angelfish feeds on algae and marine invertebrates associated with coral reefs.

REPRODUCTION: Like angelfish in general, this species begins life undifferentiated sexually, changes into females, and may develop into males with one or more females in a territorial harem. After a short mating ritual, male and female(s) rise in the water column to shed and fertilize gametes that develop within the plankton.

PREDATORS: C. loricula is preyed upon by many reef fishes.

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CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.

REMARKS: Members of the genus Centropyge are the dwarf or pygmy angelfishes. Territorial males may determine dominance by grappling with interlocked jaws, a behavior humans sometimes mistake for a fishy kiss.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/14041213549/in/album-72157625992053826/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1c8

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/7814

EOL eol.org/pages/219464/details

Animal Diversity web animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Centropyge_loricu…

Taken on 1-28-14, 9-11-12,

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3-22-16 Lyretail Hogfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 21, 2016

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

Genus/species: Bodianus anthioides

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Brown head and forebody with a long pig-like snout, white rear body with scattered brown spots and a deeply forked tail.

Max length: 24.0 cm (9.5 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Indian Ocean inhabiting seaward reefs at depths of 20–60 m (65- 200 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: The Lyretail Hogfish is a benthic (bottom) feeder of invertebrates and small crustaceans.

REPRODUCTION: They are oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding.

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CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

REMARKS: Hogfish definition: Any of various wrasses of the genus Bodianus. Also described as possessing a very elongated snout which it uses to search for crustaceans buried in the sediment. Interestingly it is from this very long “pig-like” snout and its rooting behavior that the hogfish gets its name.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine coral reef 2016

Reef Fish Identification of the Tropical Pacific, Allen et al. Odyssey Pub. 2003 p.230

Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/albums/72157625992053826/

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Bod...

EOL eol.org/pages/216945/details

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/187715/0

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

 

 

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3-21-16 Goldring Bristletooth from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

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

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Ctenochaetus strigosus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Brown as a juvenile and blue or burgundy as an adult with pale yellow spots on head and pale yellow pinstripes on body. Conspicuous, broad yellow ring around the eye.

Max. length: 15 cm (6 in).

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: C. strigosus is found in the Central Pacific in coral-rich areas of deep lagoon and seaward reefs.

DIET IN THE WILD: Herbivore, grazing algae and detritus using its comb-like teeth. Their diet may contain high concentrations of the dinoflagellate that produces ciguatera toxin, and so bristletooths and their predators are known to sometimes concentrate sufficient toxin to cause illness in humans.

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REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawner. Lifespan 5 yrs or longer.

Goldring Bristletooth aka Spotted Surgeonfish (brown variant)13161055833_2f47ca36cb_b

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern

REMARKS: It has also been commonly observed to clean algal growths from the shells of sea turtles in Hawaiian waters.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177949/0

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/8679225491/in/set-72157608332652056/  

EOL eol.org/pages/220815/details

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/6015

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

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3-18-16 Orange Spine Unicornfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 18, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Naso lituratus

IMG_5124

Photo above Male

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Orange Spine Unicornfish is a hornless unicornfish. Coloration varies among populations. A prominent vertical black stripe from eyes to mouth is present on its face. The continuous unnotched dorsal fin is black with with a pale blue line at base and a broad outer white zone. The anal fin is orange.  The bright orange caudal peduncule has two forward-directed venomous knife-like keeled bony plates.   The caudal fin is emarginate (slight inward curve) with adult males having trailing filaments from each corner.

Length to 46 cm (18 inches)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific over coral, rock or rubble of lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to 90 m (300 ft). Introduced Florida and Georgia.

DIET IN THE WILD: Primarily leafy brown algae especially Sargassum spp.

REPRODUCTION: Fertilization is external with open water pair spawning. Nonguarders

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern (LC)

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Rons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/2979734770/in/set 72157608332652056

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

fishbase  http://www.fishbase.org/summary/1264

USGS  http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=2553

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177950/0

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3-17-16 Bignose Unicornfish aka Bumphead Naso from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 17, 2016

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae  (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/Species: Naso vlamingii

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Bignose Unicornfish has a convexly rounded prominent snout and extremely tall dorsal and anal fins. A broad blue band extends from eye to front of rostral protuberance. The body is gray, ovate and compressed with blue vertical lines which break up into small blue spots dorsally and ventrally. The tips of the tail fin are unusually long.

Length to 60 cm (23 in)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in the Indo-Pacific in deep lagoons and seaward reefs from 4–50 m (12-150 ft) off steep slopes.

DIET IN THE WILD: Omnivorous, feeds on zooplankton.

REPRODUCTION: External fertilization. Egg scatterers, non-guarding. Remarks: Courting males are able to instantaneously turn iridescent blue.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern (LC)

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/6024

EOL eol.org/pages/213847/hierarchy_entries/44696490/details

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608332652056/with/3120136472/

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

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3-16-16 Bluespine Unicornfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 16, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs and Unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Naso unicornis

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Naso unicornis is gray to olive with blue tail spines.  The short forehead horn does not project past mouth. The peduncular plates and spines are blue; dorsal and anal fins yellowish with narrow blue stripes. Adult males tend be larger and have a better developed horn, peduncular spines, and caudal filaments than females.

Length to 70 cm (27.5 in)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific. The Bluespine Unicornfish inhabits channels, moats, lagoons and seaward reefs with strong surge. It typically occurs  in small groups at depths of 1–80 m (3-250 ft.).

DIET IN THE WILD: It is diurnal feeding on macro- and micr oalgae, including brown algae like Sargassum.

REPRODUCTION: External fertilization. Pair-spawning has been observed; pelagic larvae.

PREDATORS: An important food fish on most tropical islands. Long-lived, up to 35
years. Preyed upon by other fishes.

CONSERVATION: IUCN; least concern.

REMARKS: Rostral horn responsible for species’ common name. Surgeonfishes have a single scalpel-like peduncular spine which folds into a groove while unicornfishes have 1 or 2 sharp, fixed keel-like peduncular plates. The spines are used offensively and defensively.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608332652056/with/3185901763/

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

fishbase http://www.fishbase.org/summary/1265

EOL  http://eol.org/pages/213498/details

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3-15-16 Spotted Unicornfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Fishes

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 15, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Naso brevirostris

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Spotted Unicornfish is olive-brown to blue-grey with dark spots on head and vertical rows of spots and lines on sides. The tail is whitish with a dark area at base. A long, tapering horn on forehead of adults is lacking in juveniles.

Max length: 60 cm (23.5 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Naso brevirostris is found in the Indo-Pacific: East Africa, the Hawaiian Islands, southern Japan and Australia  It prefers mid-waters along steep outer lagoon and seaward reef drop-offs, from 4–45 m (12-150 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: Juveniles: benthic algae; adults: mainly zooplankton.

REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawners

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

REMARKS: Unicornfishes (Naso spp.) are characterized by 2 sharp, fixed (not moveable as in surgeonfishes), keel-like plates on the caudal peduncle. The skin is leathery with tiny non-overlapping scales, and teeth have finely serrate edges. Males of many Naso species are able to display spectacular iridescent markings during courtship.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608332652056/with/4332770529/

fishbase  fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=6021&genus…

Encyclopedia of Life  eol.org/pages/213852/details

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177990/0

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

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2-14-16 Achilles Surgeonfish From Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: INDO-PACIFIC, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 14, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Acanthurus achilles

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Achilles Surgeonfish’s black body is ovate and compressed with a large orange caudal spot. The caudal fin has a broad vertical orange band. The spine in caudal peduncle may be venomous. Juveniles lack the orange spot.

Length to 24 cm (9.5 in)

Acanthurus achilles (Acanthuridae) Surgeonfishes, Tangs and Unicornfishes Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Habitat: Clear seaward reefs, primarily in the surf zone to 4 m. Usually in small groups. Appearance: Length to 24 cm. Ovate compressed body black with a large orange caudal spot. Caudal fin has a broad vertical orange band. Diet: Diurnal herbivores of filamentous and small fleshy algae. Reproduction and Development: Spawners. Juveniles lack the orange spot. Mortality/Longevity: An important food fish on tropical islands. Remarks: Highly territorial. “Tang” in British dialect means dagger or knife. Thus the common name refers to the caudal peduncle spines. Single scalpel-like peduncular spine folds into a groove on each side of the tail. Spines are used offensively or defensively, against conspecifics in struggles for dominance or against predators. Whether a fish has a common name of “surgeonfish” or “tang” seems to be a matter of convention, not substance.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Central Pacific: Micronesia, New Caledonia, Hawaii to Pitcairn and east to of French Polynesia Island. Found on clear seaward reefs, primarily in the surf zone to 4 m (12 ft). Usually in small groups.

DIET IN THE WILD: Diurnal herbivores of filamentous and small fleshy algae.

REPRODUCTION: Monogamous spawners

ACHILLES SURGEONFISH (Acanthurus achilles) .JPG

MORTALITY: An important food fish on tropical islands.

REMARKS: “Tang” in British dialect means dagger or knife. Thus the common name refers to the caudal peduncle spines. Single scalpel-like peduncular spine folds into a groove on each side of the tail. Spines are used offensively or defensively, against conspecifics in struggles for dominance or against predators. Whether a fish has a common name of “surgeonfish” or “tang” seems to be a matter of convention, not substance. The generic name comes from the Greek acantha (“thorn”) and oura (“tail”).

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/Acanthurus-achilles.html

IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/177960/0

EOL eol.org/pages/210872/details

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4330628500/in/set-72157625992053826/

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

 

 

 

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3-9-16 Pacific Sailfin Tang from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 9, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, Unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Zebrasoma veliferum 


GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Pointed snout, tall dorsal and anal fins. Body has white bars alternate with grey/brown bars with pale bands. Juveniles have alternating yellow and black bars.

Length up to 40 cm (15.75 inches).

Pacific Sailfin tang4714776743_4d5d4776b8_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Western Pacific Ocean in Lagoons or outer reefs to 45 m (150 ft). Solitary or in small groups.

DIET IN THE WILD: Small leafy algae growing around rock and coral.

REPRODUCTION: Spawn in pairs and groups. Larvae drift.

PREDATORS: Relatively long-lived, to about 25 years; eaten by sharks and other fishes.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern (LC)

REMARKS: The sharp spine on the caudal peduncle has the capability of inflicting deep, painful wounds to a person trying to grasp one of these fish live. Furthermore, this species is ciguatoxic and can be poisonous to humans if eaten. Finally, the mycobacterioses carried by Z. veliferum are potential zoonoses that can cause skin infections and lesions in humans.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s WordPress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Ii

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/1266

Australia Museum australianmuseum.net.au/Sailfin-Tang-Zebrasoma-veliferum-…

Encyclopedia of life eol.org/data_objects/26752733

Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zebrasoma_veliferum/

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4714776743/in/album-72157625992053826/

 

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3-8-16 Bluelined Surgeonfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
March 8, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes) 
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Acanthurus nigroris

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark brown body with numerous blue stripes in scroll patterns on face and chest, more horizontal on body. Dark peduncular spine and tail. Small but distinctive black spots on rear base of both dorsal and anal fins.

A small surgeonfish; max. size: 25 cm (10 inches)

Blue-lined Surgeonfish4405089188_0ed976bdfe_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaiian Islands in clear lagoons and outward reefs to 200 ft.

DIET IN THE WILD: Filamentous algae, diatoms, fine algal film.

REPRODUCTION; Pelagic spawner.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.

REMARKS: Solitary or form small groups.

 

References:

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

EOL: eol.org/pages/211466/overview

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/ACANTHURUS-NIGRORIS.html

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4405089188/in/set-72157608332652056/

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

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