Starry triggerfish
📖 Overview
Inhabit coastal areas, usually found over muddy and sandy bottoms, also around reefs, together with the sponges and algae . Adults on deep coastal slopes and usually seen swimming high above the bottom, sometimes found in estuaries. Juveniles in sheltered coastal bays and estuaries with outcrops of rubble or debris on open substrates . Feed on benthic animals . Oviparous . Also caught with vertical long-lines . Marketed fresh and dried-salted .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26. 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. Caudal peduncle depressed. Caudal fin rays of adults prolonged above and below.: short and / or deep; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Starry triggerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; amphidromous ; depth range 7 - 350 m . Tropical; 46°N - 36°S, 21°E - 164°W West Pacific: Red Sea, East Africa eastward through northern Australia to Fiji, northward to southern Japan.
🌿 Ecology
benthic animals (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Starry triggerfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 129 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Starry triggerfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abalistes macrophthalmus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Balistes stellatus | Anonymous | 1798 | Synonym |
| Capriscus macrophthalmus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Leiurus macrophthalmus | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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