Blacktail humbug
📖 Overview
Schooling species, adults inhabit sheltered lagoons, harbors and inlets. Also in somewhat open substrates with outcrops of Acropora corals . Often associated with small coral heads. Feed on a variety of plankton, including larval shrimps and crabs, algae, ostracods, amphipods, pelagic tunicates, copepods, and fish eggs. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs . Diurnal species.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13. Color in life white with 3 black bars; has a black area over the outer two-thirds of the tail, which distinguishes it from D. aruanus; pelvic fins black; pectoral fins transparent. Tubed lateral lines scales 16 to 17. Margins of preorbital, suborbital, and preoperculum finely serrated . Body depth 1.5-1.7 in SL .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blacktail humbug is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blacktail humbug is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 68 m . Tropical; 35°N - 25°S, 104°E - 173°W north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
a variety of plankton, including larval shrimps and crabs, algae, ostracods, amphipods, pelagic tuni
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blacktail humbug 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 | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 136 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blacktail humbug has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 19 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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