| Family: |
Balistidae (Triggerfishes) |
| Max. size: |
65 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 6,120.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 60 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to South America. Eastern Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks, Ascension, Cape Verde and St. Helena (Ref. 5288); Sao Tome Island (Ref. 34088). Stray recod from Canada (Ref. 5951). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 23-25. Soft dorsal and anal fins very elevated anteriorly, the longest rays nearly as long as head; caudal fin double-emarginate, brownish gray with a large dark brown spot at base of pectoral fins (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Common near drop-offs of seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Occasionally in shallow water. Solitary or in small groups in open water. Often associated with Sargassum (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on large zooplankton. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 13121. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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