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BALI

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FISHING AREA 51
(W. Indian Ocean)

BALISTIDAE

(excluding the Monacanthidae = Aluteridae of some authors)

Triggerfishes and durgons

Small or medium-sized fishes, usually up to 60 cm in length, with deep, moderately compressed bodies
encased with very thick, tough skin with larg1 rectilinear scale plates easily discernible as individual units; scales
above pectoral fin base usually enlarged and slightly separated, forming a flexible tympanum. Gill opening a
relatively short vertical to oblique slit in front of the pectoral fin base, branchiostegal rays hidden beneath the
skin; mouth small and usually more or less terminal; teeth heavy, 8 in an outer series in the upper jaw and 8 in
the lower jaw. Three dorsal fin spines, the second spine more than one-half the length of the first; the first spine
capable of being locked in an upright position of erection by the second; most dorsal, anal and pectoral fin rays
branched; pelvic fins and spines rudimentary or absent, represented by a series of 4 pairs of enlarged scales
encasing the end of pelvis. Lateral line inconspicuous.

Colour: variable, sometimes black or drab brown, grey or greenish, but often with strikingly marked and
vivid patterns.

3 dorsal fin
spine visible
tympanum
usually fin-rays branched
present

8 outer
teeth

8 teeth

branchiostegal
rays not
visible restricted
gill slit

encasing
scales at end
of pelvis
 -2-

FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE Fishing Area 51

Triggerfishes are usually solitary, ranging in depth from the coastline to about 90 m, with some species being
primarily pelagic in open water and others primarily benthic around rocky and coral reefs. They feed on bottom
invertebrates, often hard-shelled species, or zooplankton, with their small mouths typically armed with large and
relative heavy incisor-like teeth. Highly valued as food in many handline fisheries, and also taken as bycatch in
commercial bottom trawls; on rare occasions the flesh has been considered toxic.

dorsal spines
SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Monacanthidae: two dorsal fin spines, only the first

of which is especially large and prominent; body more
laterally compressed; fewer and less massive teeth in
jaws; scales shagreen-like, with the individual basal
plates small and not readily distinguishable from one
another to the unaided eye.

Ostraciidae: no spiny dorsal fin; teeth more

conical; scales in the form of enlarged, exceptionally
Monacanthidae
thick, usually hexagonal plates sutured together to form a
box-like encasement of the body.
Tetraodontidae, Diodontidae, Triodontidae, Molidae:
no obvious spiny dorsal fin; no pelvic fin of any kind;
teeth incorporated into, or indistinguishably fused with
the jaw bones to form a parrot-like beak, with or without
a division in the midline into two equal halves in each jaw;
skin either rough with scales modified as prickles and long
quill-like spines or scales sometimes absent and the skin
smooth. Ostraciidae

Triacanthidae and Triacanthodidae: dorsal fin

spines 2 to 6; a strong pair of pelvic fin spines (rudimen-
tary or absent in Balistidae).

Tetraodontidae

Diodontidae

Molidae
Triacanthodidae

Triodontidae Triacarthida
 -3-

FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE Fishing Area 51

tympanum
gill slit
KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

1a. Scales above pectoral fin base and just behind gill
slit much enlarged and partially separated, forming
a flexible tympanum (Fig.1)
pectoral Fig.1
fin base
2a. Cheels scaòy

3a. Teeth normally red (Fig.2) ………………Odonus

3b. Teeth never red

4a. A prominent groove on snout before

eye Odonus Fig.2

5a. C a u d a l p e d u n c l e d i s t i n c t l y
depressed (Fig.3) .................... Abalistes

5b. Caudal peduncle not depressed

6a. Scales on posterior part of

body without keels forming
longitudinal ridges (Fig.4) ... Balistes
Abalistes Fig.3
6b. Scales on posterior part of
body with keels a. the cen-
tre forming longitudinal rid-
ges, relatively low in juve-
niles and females, high in
adult males (Figs 5,6)

Balistes Fig.4
 -4-

FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE Fishing Area 51

7a. Upper and lower profiles of head pro-

minently convex, giving the body a dis-
tintive ovoid shape (Fig.5) ........................ Melichthys

7b. Upper and lower profiles of head not

prominently convex, either concave,
straight or slightly convex

8a. Longitudinal scale ridges extend

only a short distance forward of
caudal peduncle (Fig.6) .................... Balistoides Melichtys Fig.5

8b. Longitudinal scale ridges extend to

at least middle of body (Fig.7) ............ Sufflamen

4b. No groove on snout before eye

9a. T h i r d d o r s a l s p i n e m i n u t e
(Fig.8) .................................... Rhinecanthus

9b. Third dorsal spine moderate

(Fig.9) ........................................ Balistapus Balistoides Fig.6

Sufflamen Fig.7 Rhinecanthus Fig.8

Balistapus Fig.9
 -5-

FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE Fishing Area 51

2b. Cheeks naked anteriorly, with small scales in

separate elevated rows behind (Fig.10).. Pseudobalistes

1b. Scales above pectoral-fin base and just behind gill slit
not enlarged and not especially well separated, not
forming a tympanum

10a. Cheek with prominent naked longitudinal

grooves; mouth slightly, but distinctly
supraterminal (Fig.ll) ...............….... Xanthichthys

10b. Cheek evenly scaled, without naked grooves;

mouth terminal (Fig.12) .................. Canthidermis Pseudobalistes Fig.10

Xanthichthys Fig.11 Canthidermis Fig.12

LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:
Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included
Abalistes stellatus (Lacepède, 1798)
BALI Abal 1

Balistapus undulatus (Mungo Park, 1797)

Balistes vetula Linnaeus, 1758

Balistoides conspiculum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Canthidermis rotundatus (Proce, 1822)

Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1771)

Melichthys vidus Solander, 1849)

Odonus niger (Rüppell, 1840) BALI Odon 1

Pseudobalistes flavomarginatus (Rüppell, 1828)

Pseudobalistes fuscus Bloch & Schneider,. 1801)

Sufflamen bursa (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Sufflamen chrysopterus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Sufflamen fraenatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) BALI Suff 1

Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Rhinecanthus cinereus (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Rhinecanthus echarpe (Lacepéde, 1798)

Xanthichthys ringens (Linnaeus, 1758)

Prepared by B. Hutchins, Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia

 BALI Abal 1

1983
FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: BALISTIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Abalistes stellatus (Lacepède, 1798)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE : Abalistes stellaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Starry triggerfish
Fr - Baliste étoilé
Sp - Pejepuerco estrellado
NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular
rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin
base and just behind the gill slit to form a flexible tympanum; scales of posterior body with prominent keels,
forming longitudinal ridges. A prominent groove in the skin extending anteriorly from front of eye for a distance
of about 1 eye diameter. Mouth terminal; teeth pointed, the central pair in each jaw largest. Three prominent
dorsal fin spines, the first capable of being locked erect by the second; caudal fin rays of adults prolonged above
and below. Caudal peduncle depressed (width greater than depth).
Colour: grey dashed with olive-green; 3 large white blotches on back, disappearing in large specimens;
numerous small blue spots on body and 3 or 4 yellow lines from mouth to pectoral fin base; soft dorsal and anal fins
with yellow, slightly oblique stripes; pectoral fins yellow.
 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Other balistid species: caudal peduncle not depressed; different colour patterns.

SIZE:

Maximum: 60 cm; common to 40 cm.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the area.

Also found in most other regions of the Indo-West Pacific.

Found over sand, sponge and weed bottoms to depths of

100 m.

Feeds on benthic animals.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Taken incidentally throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species.

Caught in bottom trawls.

Marketed fresh and dried salted.

 BALI Odon 1
1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY : BALISTIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Odonus niger (Rüppell, 1840)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Red-toothed triggerfish
Fr - Baliste dents rouges
Sp - Pejepuerco dentirojo

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular
rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin
base and just behind the gill slit to form a flexible tympanum; scales of posterior body with low keels, forming
longitudinal ridges. A prominent groove in the skin extending anteriorly from front of eye for a distance equal
to, or slightly greater than eye diameter. Mouth supraterminal; 2 prominent fang-like teeth in upper jaw. Three
prominent dorsal fin spines, the first capable of being locked erect by the second. Caudal fin rays of adults
greatly prolonged above and below; anterior rays of both soft dorsal and anal fins elevated, the margins
prominently concave in profile. Caudal peduncle almost round in cross section, slightly compressed.

Colour: ground colour of body and fins blackish brown, usually with a darker stripe from mouth to pectoral
fin base; posterior margin of caudal fin with a lunar-shaped white bar; teeth red.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Other balistid species: teeth not red; no prominent fang-like teeth in upper jaw; different colour pattern.

SIZE:

Maximum: 60 cm; common to 30 cm.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Within the area, present along the East African coast, in

the Red Sea, around Madagascar, Seychelles, Réunion, Mauri-
tius, Laccadives and off south India and Sri Lanka. Also occurs
in most other regions of the Indo-West Pacific.
Found in shallow waters around reefs.

Feeds on benthic animals.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Taken incidentally throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species.

Caught by gillnets, bottom trowls and on lines.

Marketed fresh and dried salted.

 BALI Suff 1
1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: BALISTIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Sufflamen fraenatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Sufflamen capistratus (Shaw, 1804)

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Masked triggerfish
Fr - Baliste masque
Sp - Calafate mascarilla
NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular
rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin
base and just behind the gill slit to form a flexible tympanum; scales of posterior body with keels, forming
longitudinal ridges which extend from caudal peduncle to below anterior half of soft dorsal fin. A shallow groove
in the skin extending anteriorly from front border of eye for a distance of about half to one eye diameter. Mouth
terminal; teeth pointed, the central pair in each jaw largest. Three dorsal fin spines, the third small but readily
apparent, and the first spine capable of being locked erect by the second. Caudal peduncle compressed.
Colour: head and body yellowish-brown to dark brown; a prominent yellow stripe encircling lower jaw and
meeting just behind the mouth; a further yellow stripe running from mouth to just below and anterior to pectoral
fin base, occasionally the yellow coloration being overlaid with red (stripes absent in juveniles); caudal fin dark
brown, soft dorsal and anal fins yellowish brown to dark brown.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA :

Odonus niger: teeth red.

Abalistes stellatus: caudal peduncle depressed.

Balistes vetula: scales on posterior part of body without keels forming longitudinal ridges; upper and lower
rays of caudal fin greatly prolonged.

Melichthys species: upper and lower profiles of head prominently convex (snout profile straight to slightly
concave or convex in Sufflamen capistratus); teeth short with truncate cutting edges.

Balistoides species: longitudinal scale ridges extending only a short distance forward of caudal peduncle.

Rhinecanthus species and Balistapus undulatus: no groove on snout before eye.

Pseudobaiistes species: cheeks naked anteriorly.
Xanthichtis ringens and Canthidermis rotundatus: no flexible tympanum above pectoral fin base.

SIZE:
Maximum: 50 cm; common to 20 cm.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Within the area, known from East Africa and the Red Sea,
Madagascar, Seychelles, Laccadives, south India and Sri Lanka.
Also found in most other regions of the Indo-West Pacific.
Found in waters near coral reefs as well as over flat,
sponge-covered bottoms at depths to 50 m.

Feeds on benthic animals.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS :

No data available.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species.

Caught in bottom trawls and on lines.

Marketed fresh and dried salted.

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