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Balistoides viridescens

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Titan Trigger

Classification
Identification
Biology
Distribution
Links
Bibliography

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Classification   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
Latin name : Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Synonyms :
Classification : Balistidae ( Triggerfishes )
 
Name : Baliste Olivâtre
Baliste à moustache
Baliste titan
Baliste à tête jaune
Name : Titan Trigger
Spotted Triggerfish
Pulonon Matingin
Identification   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
Main identification characters
One of the larger triggerfishes and, in its adult form, a distinctive and decorative fish. The Titan triggerfish follows the normal elongated oval body pattern, a drab yellowish khaki giving the basic underlying colour. The lower jaw area is white, whilst the mouth is outlined by thin pale blue lines overlaying a dark brown "moustache". A thickened and diffuse dark brown stripe runs from the pectoral fins, through the eye-sockets, and forms a skull-cap dotted with yellow to orange spots. The powerful body is covered with large clearly defined scales, each being a mid-brown, but edged with the basic body colour. The caudal peduncle is white, with four horizontal rows of greyish spines. The fins are a pale off-white, edged with black.

Adults generally occur in deep lagoon and outer reef habitats from 5 to at least 40 m. Size : Grows to about 70 cm in length.

It is very wary but has been known to attack divers while protecting its nest.
Possible confusions
Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus
Biology   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
Feed
Feeds on sea urchins, coral, crabs and other crustaceans, mollusks and tube worms.
Cycle of life / Reproduction
Oviparous. Juveniles are commonly seen on isolated patch reefs in relatively protected, shallow, sandy, inshore areas.
Interaction with other species
Reports of ciguatera poisoning (ciguatoxic).
Distribution   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
Habitat

Coral
Occur in lagoon and seaward reefs.
Geographical distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay and French Polynesia, Mozambique and east to the Line and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia.
Links   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
Websites :
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Balistoid [...]
http://www.manband-archive.com/triggers/catalogue/balistoides_viridesc [...]
http://www.themarinecenter.com/triggertitan.htm
http://www.uog.edu/marinelab/fish/species_html/balistoides.viridescens [...]

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Bibliography   {MSG_BIOLOGY_LISTE_CATEGORIES}
N/A
Data sheet written by Christophe Naslain , 5/11/2002

Updates :
Christophe Naslain - 08/11/2002
Abystrale - 27/08/2006


 Comments
Add a comment

 Comment from Sylvie
Bien que cette espèce soit parfois considérée comme agressive, celui que j'ai rencontré en Polynésie était très gentil. Il nous a accompagné toute la plongée restant quand même toujours à un bon mètre de la palanquée.
Posted date 6/11/2002 

 Comment from Patrick DELMAS
Sur plongeur international de ce mois ci (novembre 2002)il y a un article sur un baliste olivatre qui a attaqué une plongeuse en la mordant sérieusement au visage!
Posted date 18/11/2002 


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