Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and can be recognised by its colouration.

Identification

The Clown Triggerfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is black with yellow lips. The lower half of the head and body have large white spots.

Size range

The species grows to 50 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Clown Triggerfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:: conspicillum
Genus:: Balistoides
Family:: Balistidae
Order:: Tetraodontiformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 11 October 2010

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