Balistoides conspicillum

Clown triggerfish ( Balistoides conspicillum ), Photo: Michael Lahanas

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Euteleosteomorpha
Subcohors: Neoteleostei
Infracohors: Eurypterygia
Sectio: Ctenosquamata
Subsectio: Acanthomorphata
Divisio/Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Subdivisio: Percomorphaceae
Series: Eupercaria
Ordo: Tetraodontiformes

Familia: Balistidae
Genus: Balistoides
Species: Balistoides conspicillum
Name

Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Type locality: Mauritius, Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean

Holotype (unique): MNHN B-3041
Synonyms

Balistes conspicillum Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Balistes niger Bonnaterre (ex Sonnerat), 1788
Balistoides conspicillium (misspelling) (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Guaperva maculata Sonnerat, 1774

References

Bloch, M.E. & Schneider, J.G. 1801: M. E. Blochii, Systema Ichthyologiae iconibus cx illustratum. Post obitum auctoris opus inchoatum absolvit, correxit, interpolavit Jo. Gottlob Schneider, Saxo. Berolini. Sumtibus Auctoris Impressum et Bibliopolio Sanderiano Commissum.: i-lx + 1-584, Pls. 1-110. BHL
Fraser-Brunner, A. 1935: Notes on the Plectognath fishes.—I. A synopsis of the genera of the family Balistidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 10 15(90); 658-663. DOI: 10.1080/00222933508655016A
Kyushin, K., K. Amaoka, K. Nakaya, H. Ida, Y. Tanino & T. Senta (eds) 1982: Fishes of the South China Sea. Japan Marine Fishery Resource Research Center.: 1–333, Pls. 1-291.

Links

Balistoides conspicillum – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
Balistoides conspicillum in the World Register of Marine Species}
Balistoides conspicillum in FishBase,
Froese, R. & Pauly, D. (eds.) 2024. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication, www.fishbase.org, version 02/2024.
Balistoides conspicillum in Catalog of Fishes, Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. & van der Laan, R. (eds.) 2024. Catalog of Fishes electronic version.

Vernacular names
Afrikaans: Narsnellervis
Deutsch: Leopard-Drückerfisch
ދިވެހިބަސް: ބިސް ރޮނޑު
English: Clown triggerfish, bigspotted triggerfish
suomi: Pantterisäppikala
français: Baliste clown
日本語: モンガラカワハギ
Nederlands: Luipaardtrekkervis
polski: Rogatnica jasnoplama
русский: Крупнопятнистый спинорог
svenska: Clowntryckare
ไทย: ปลาวัวตัวตลก, ปลาวัวมงกุฎ, ปลาวัวจุด
中文: 花斑擬鱗魨

The clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum), also known as the bigspotted triggerfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Balistidae, or commonly called triggerfish.
Description
Because of its coloration, the clown triggerfish is highly prized as an aquarium fish.

The clown triggerfish is a fish which grows up to 50 cm (19.7 inches).[2] Its body has a stocky appearance, oval shape and compressed laterally. The head is large and represents approximately one third of the body length. The mouth is small, terminal and has strong teeth.[2]

The first dorsal fin is composed of three spines, one of which is longer and stronger. It is erectile and hidden in a dorsal furrow. This set of dorsal spines composed a trigger system which is a characteristic from the family Balistidae. The second dorsal fin is similar in shape and size to the anal fin which is symmetrically opposed to it. The pelvic fin is reduced to a ventral protrusion.[2]

The background coloration is black. Half of inferior part of the body is marked with big white spots which are more or less round. The area around the first dorsal fin is crossed by yellowish sinuosities which draw like a network reminding the leopard's patterns. There is a yellowish ring around the mouth, which is surrounded by another fin white ring. A white stripe ride the snout just under the eyes level. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are white and underlined with a yellow line at their base. The caudal peduncle has a yellowish blotch on its top part and has three horizontal sets of spiny scales. The caudal fin is yellowish in its center and has black margin. Juveniles have a black background coloration spangled with small white spots, the extremity of the snout and the base of the first dorsal fin is yellowish.[3]
Distribution and habitat

The clown triggerfish is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean.[4] A single record was reported in the Mediterranean Sea in Spanish waters in 2012, a likely aquarium release.[5] It is most commonly found along external reef slopes with clear water until 75 m depth.[6] Juveniles are usually staying below 20 m sheltered close to caves or overhangs.
Feeding

Balistoides conspicillum has a varied diet based on different benthic organisms like molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans.[7]
Behaviour

This triggerfish has a diurnal activity, is solitary and defends a territory. It can be very aggressive with other fish and congeners. The first long dorsal spine when is erected, it is used to impress an opponent or to avoid a predator to pull it out of its refuge.
In aquariums

Because of its attractive coloration, this fish is one of the most highly prized aquarium fish.[8] Like many other triggerfish, it can require a large aquarium and be aggressive towards other fish. It should not be kept with small fish. It will also prey on invertebrates in the aquarium.[9][10] This fish can become tame enough to be hand-fed; however, one should beware of the fish's sharp teeth.[10]
References

Matsuura, K. 2022 (2022). "Balistoides conspicillum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T193740A2269848. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T193740A2269848.en. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
"Faits concernant Baliste Léopard (Balistoides conspicillum) - Encyclopédie de la Vie". Archived from the original on 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
"Faits concernant Baliste Léopard (Balistoides conspicillum) - Encyclopédie de la Vie". Archived from the original on 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
Atlas of Exotic Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea (Balistoides conspicillum). 2nd Edition. 2021. 366p. CIESM Publishers, Paris, Monaco.https://ciesm.org/atlas/fishes_2nd_edition/Balistoides_conspicillum.pdf
"Faits concernant Baliste Léopard (Balistoides conspicillum) - Encyclopédie de la Vie". Archived from the original on 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
"Faits concernant Baliste Léopard (Balistoides conspicillum) - Encyclopédie de la Vie". Archived from the original on 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
"Balistoides conspicillum, Clown triggerfish : fisheries, aquarium". www.fishbase.de.
Dakin, Nick (1992). The Macmillan book of the Marine Aquarium. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. pp. 177. ISBN 0-02-897108-6.

Sanford, Gina (1999). Aquarium Owner's Guide. New York: DK Publishing. pp. 132. ISBN 0-7894-4614-6.

ITIS - Report: Balistoides conspicillum, Retrieved [mai, 30, 2013], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Bailly, N. (2013). Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801). In: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2013) FishBase. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) on 2013-05-30

Fish Images