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4-22-16 Pajama Cardinalfish from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, INDO-PACIFIC — Leave a comment
April 22, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)

Genus/species: Sphaeramia nematoptera

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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The head is yellow with a wide black band encircling the central body. Eyes are large and red. The back half of the body has spots. 

Length up to 8.5 cm (3.3 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: S. nematoptera is found in the Indian and western Pacific oceans often in reef areas of bays and lagoons along with other members of their species, sheltered among branches of Porites spp.

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DIET IN THE WILD: The Pajama Cardinalfish feeds on small fish and crustaceans. At night, it leaves the protection of coral shelter to feed along the bottom at about 15 m (50 feet) deep.

REMARKS: Note the large eyes, a common feature of nocturnal fishes that allows them to gather low light images. They are nocturnal and shelter during the day.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4676390664/in/album-72157625992053826/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Sphaeramia-nematoptera.html

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

Eol   http://eol.org/pages/204401/details 

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4-21-16 Pyramid Butterflyfish from Ron’s Temperate Marine Series

Filed under: CORAL REEF, TROPICAL MARINE — Leave a comment
April 21, 2016

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

Genus/species: Hemitaurichthys polylepis

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:They have a deep, laterally compressed body, a single, un-notched dorsal fin, and a small mouth with brushlike teeth. The color of the head is brown to black. The body has a large white pyramid-shaped area on its side and its scales are pearlescent. The dorsal and anal fins are yellow; caudal fin white.

Length up to 18 cm (7 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Eastern Indian,  Western and Central Pacific Oceans. Among outer coral reefs usually close to drop offs, at depths 3–60 m (9-180 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: Pyramid Butterflyfish are planktivores that aggregate in the water column. Unlike many other butterflyfishes, this species does not feed on coral polyps, so is considered a good choice for aquaria with live corals. 

REPRODUCTION: Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding.

CONSERVATION: Least Concern (LC)

REMARKS: Occur in large schools that feed several meters above the edges of steep outer reef slopes.

 

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

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

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  wp.me/p1DZ4b-Gv

Australian museum  australianmuseum.net.au/Pyramid-Butterflyfish-Hemitaurich…

fishbase:  fishbase.org/summary/Hemitaurichthys-polylepis.htm

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/165672/0

 

 

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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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4-4-16 Two-spot Octopus from Ron’s California Coast Series

Filed under: INVERTEBRATES, MOLLUSKS, TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
April 3, 2016

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Octopodidae

Genus/species: Octopus bimaculoides

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Usually a mottled-brown color with a dark deep-blue ovoid spot under each eye. It can use the chromatophores in its skin to change its color and texture when hunting for prey or hiding from predators (including its eye spots).

Size to 3 feet (including its body and outstretched arms)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found from central California to northern Baja California among reefs and pilings on the sea floor.

DIET IN THE WILD: Limpets, black abalone, snails, clams, hermit crabs and small fishes. Prey are subdued with a parrotlike beak and toxic secretions through a salivary gland. Their food is then scraped out with a radula.

REPRODUCTION: Females lay up to 150,000 eggs under rocks from late winter to early summer, then brood on them continuously for 2-4 months. During brooding, the female doesn’t feed and usually dies when eggs hatch.

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Life Span: One-and-a-half to two years.

PREDATORS: Moray eels, scorpionfish and humans. Arms are often lost during a fight with a moray eel and can regenerate.

CONSERVATION: O bimaculoides is very sensitive to impaired water quality, thus water pollution is an issue for its survival.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart aquarium Animal Attractions 2016

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/26033508582/in/album-72157629304397467/

Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org/accounts/Octopus_bimaculatus/

Jaffe Laboratory jaffeweb.ucsd.edu/node/twospottedoctopus

Monterey bay Aquarium  www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/octopuses-and-ki…

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/exhibits/socal-species-det…

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1G9

 

 

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