The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

Breeder ID: RHIACU-063095-ELLIAN-001

Date received: 6/30/95

Identification: Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus 1758)

Geographic origin: Fiji, Pacific Ocean

Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes Subclass Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei

Superorder Acanthopterygii Order Tetraodontiformes Suborder Balistoidei

Family Balistidae

Genus Rhinecanthus

Species aculeatus (Linnaeus 1758)

Description:

Duration / size: not available. Eggs taken from nest site in wild

Broodstock notes: Triggerfish are very aggressive

Physical differences: not noted

Adult diet: adults in wild, no observations made regarding diet

Pre-spawning activity: “nosing” of nest area which is in an open depression in substrate.

Time spawning began: not observed

Area spawning occurred: depression in open area of lagoon; sand / seagrass ~ 1 meter depth

Frequency of spawning: one (1) day after half moon, late morning

Egg description: clumps of ~ 0.5 mm eggs in white “balls several centimeters in diameter

Approximate quantity: ~1000

Size: ~ 0.5 mm

Egg changes / development: hatch in 5 – 6 hours

Incubation period: 5 – 6 hours

Time hatching occurred: ~ 3:00 – 4:00 PM (afternoon

Size of hatching larvae: 1.9 mm

Yolk sac present?: yes

Newly hatched appearance: Enlongate, unformed mouth, un-pigmented eyes. Phototaxic

Transfer / removal method: Eggs scooped from nest and transported to aquarium

Fry development / changes: Mouth unformed day 1; Yolk sac absorbed day 2-3; Never saw any feeding (thru day 6). By day 6 lines, fins and eye pigment developed.

First food offered: rotifer (S-strain)

Survival 1st week(%): 0% (no larvae survived past day 6

Rearing tank size (liter): 25

Sides of tank covered? Yes, blue

Lighting & photo period: 15 watt fluorescent, 16 hours

Filtration: no information provided

Comments: no long term survival. Larvae do not respond to rotifers.

Original description: Described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758 as Balistes aculeatus in Systema Naturae, 1758, edition 10 volume 1, from a specimen collected near India. Later described in 1830 as Balistes ornatissimus by Lesson in the Voyage Coquille Zool. v. 2 (pt 1) from a
specimen collected in Bora Bora, Society Islands. In 1859 Bleeker in Acta Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl. v. 6 described Balistes heteracanthus, from specimen(s) collected at Doreh, New Guinea. And in 1877 Alleyne & Macleay described Monacanthus cheverti in Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. v. 1
(pts 3-4) from specimens at New Guinea. Smith & Heemstra 1986, Matsuura & Shiobara 1989, Harmelin-Vivien & Quero 1990 validated Rhinecanthus aculeatus. All other descriptions listed are considered synonyms of Rhinecanthus aculeatus

Word origin: The genus appears to be from the Greek roots rhin, -o, meaning nose; and canth meaning corner of the eye. The species is from the Latin root acule, =us meaning a sting or thorn. Thus “nose near the corner of the eye with a thorn”, which, when one considers the body shape of this species the description seems to fit. Additionally, the original genus attributed by Linnaeus Balistoides is from the Latin root balist, -a, meaning a catapult which was no doubt in reference to the “thorn like” dorsal spine and the ability of the fish to quickly retract and extend
it; thus “Catapult thorn” (Balistes aculeatus). Balistedae is the family distinction and the “catapult thorn” is quite fitting for the “triggerfish”.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1995