Although some sources argue it can be kept in as little a tank as 125 gallons, when it achieves its adult size of two feet it is very unlikely to thrive, and will likely lead to premature death. Because it grows so large and so quickly the minimum aquarium for this fish is a 500-gallon aquarium. It is however a hardy fish for those who can provide it with a proper environment. In the aquarium Īs one of the largest and most aggressive of the triggerfish, this fish is rarely a good choice as a resident in a marine aquarium. It preys on a variety of invertebrates, notably sea urchins. The 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. It is reasonably common in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. In 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. It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress. It is typically blue, purple, turquoise and green with a yellowish throat, and light blue lines on the fins and head. The queen triggerfish reaches 60 cm (24 in), though most only are about half that length. This fish is called cochino in Cuba, and this is the probable origin of the name Bahía de Cochinos, which is known as the Bay of Pigs in English. It is occasionally caught as a gamefish, and sometimes kept in very large marine aquaria. Balistes vetula trinitatis Nichols & Murphy 1914īalistes vetula, the queen triggerfish or old wife, is a reef dwelling triggerfish found in the Atlantic Ocean.Balistes vetula (Queen Triggerfish) – The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobagoģ. It would be a shame to lose these beautiful fish from our reefs.Ģ. Being harvested for medicinal purposes and the aquarium industry has meant that their populations have been decreasing. Queen triggerfish parents defend their nest fiercely, so don’t get too close if you don’t want to get bitten! Photo Credit: crystaltmcĪccording to the IUCN, the queen triggerfish is considered a vulnerable species. They make their nests by blowing water into the sand to create the bowl shape. Photo Credit: Kevin BryantĪ queen triggerfish nest looks like a bowl dug into the sand on the seafloor. The scales, liver and skin can all be prepared in different ways to create medicines that are used to treat illnesses such as earaches, asthma and more. In some parts of Brazil, it is believed that the queen triggerfish have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicines. #7: Queen triggerfish contribute to medicine! Humans also eat triggerfish! Photo Credit: Ken Desloover Common predators include larger reef fish, like groupers, jacks and sharks. Though the queen triggerfish is one of the larger reef fish, they still have predators. #6: What are the predators of the queen triggerfish? These fish also sleep in the crevices to ensure they are protected at night. Once securely in a crevice, they lock their dorsal fin in place, so they can’t easily be pulled out by a predator. When a queen triggerfish feels threatened, it will retreat and hide in crevices. They use a special membrane behind their pectoral fins to create a throbbing sound. Queen triggerfish have the ability to send an audible warning to other fish. #4: What does the queen triggerfish do to warn off others? These movements are strong enough to overturn sea urchins, exposing their soft undersides and making them easier to eat. One technique the queen triggerfish uses to catch prey is creating water movement with its fins. #3: The queen triggerfish isn’t just a pretty face, though we think that too. They use these larger teeth to break into and eat hard-shelled prey. The queen triggerfish have noticeably large teeth at the front on their mouth. #2: Those large teeth are key for the queen triggerfish. Queen triggerfish are a species of fish that can be found in schools, but they’re also very happy as a solitary fish. #1: Queen triggerfish don’t always need company. However, if you see one, don’t get too close as they can be territorial and are known to give a nasty bite.ĭive into more fun facts about the queen triggerfish below. They have two very distinct blue bands that run across their snouts, which make them identifiable from other triggerfish. The queen triggerfish ( Balistes vetula) is a species of triggerfish that is commonly seen on rocky sea floors or coral reefs in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
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