Balistes vetula, the queen triggerfish or old wife, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the triggerfish family, Balistidae. This species is found in the Atlantic Ocean. It is occasionally caught as a gamefish, and sometimes kept in very large marine aquaria.
| Balistes vetula | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Balistidae |
| Genus: | Balistes |
| Species: | B. vetula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Balistes vetula | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Taxonomy
editBalistes vetula was first formally described in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae published in 1758 with its type locality given as Ascension Island.[3] In 1865 Pieter Bleeker designated this species as the type species of the genus Balistes.[4] Balistes is the type genus of the family Balistidae, which is classified in the suborder Balistoidei in the order Tetraodontiformes.[5]
Etymology
editBalistes vetula is the type species of the genus Balistes, a name which refers to the first spine of the dorsal fin being locked in place by the erection of the shorter second trigger spine, and unlocked by depressing the second spine. Balistes is taken directly from the Italian pesca ballista, the "crossbow fish". Ballista originally being a machine for throwing arrows. The specific name vetula means "old woman" or "old wife", the Latin cognate of vieja, a Spanish name used in Cuba for this species which was recorded by the Cuban naturalist Antonio Parra in 1787. This name apparently follows a Portuguese tradition of some larger fishes common names which allude to women. George Shaw said “It is supposed to have obtained the popular title of Old Wife Fish from the appearance of the mouth when viewed in front, as well as from the slightly murmuring noise which it utters when first taken.”[6]
This fish is called cochino in Cuba,[7] and this is the probable origin of the name Bahía de Cochinos, which is known as the Bay of Pigs in English.[citation needed]
Description
editThe queen triggerfish reaches 60 cm (24 in), though most only are about half that length.[2] It is typically blue, purple, turquoise and green with a yellowish throat, and light blue lines on the fins and head.[8] It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress.[8]
Distribution
editIn the western Atlantic, it ranges from Canada to southern Brazil, and in the eastern Atlantic it is found at Ascension, Cape Verde, Azores and south to Angola.[2] It is reasonably common in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.[8]
Ecology
editThe queen triggerfish is typically found at coral and rocky reefs in depths of 3–30 m (9.8–98.4 ft), but it can occur as deep as 275 m (902 ft) and sometimes over areas with sand or seagrass.[2]
It preys on a variety of invertebrates, notably sea urchins.[8]
References
edit- ^ Liu, J.; Zapfe, G.; Shao, K.-T.; et al. (2016) [errata version of 2015 assessment]. "Balistes vetula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T2539A97664057. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Balistes vetula". FishBase. June 2024 version.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Balistes". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Balistidae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes Classification". Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Christopher Scharpf (21 August 2024). "Order TETRAODONTIFORMES: Families MOLIDAE, BALISTIDAE, MONACANTHIDAE, ARACANIDAE and OSTRACIIDAE". Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Claro, Rodolfo; García-Arteaga, Juan P.; Gobert, Bertrand; Cantelar Ramos, Karel (2004). "Situación actual de los recursos pesqueros del Archipiélago Sabana-Camagüey, Cuba" (PDF). Bulletin of Marine and Coastal Research (in Spanish). 33. INVEMAR: 49–67. ISSN 0122-9761. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d Humann, Paul; Deloach, Ned (2002). Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Third ed.). New World Publications. p. 394. ISBN 978-1878348302.
External links
edit
- animal-world.com Page on queen triggerfish
- Aquarium Fish: Triggerfish
- Photos of Balistes vetula on Sealife Collection