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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚡ Reports of ciguatera poisoning 🌡️ Tropical

Spotted drum

Equetus punctatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Max Length
27 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
3–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
18 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Occurs primarily on coral reefs. Secretive and usually solitary, under ledges or near small caves . Often seen during the day around the bases of corals . Feeds at night on crabs, shrimps, and polychaetes. Easily approached . Has been reared in captivity .

Scientific Name
Equetus punctatus
Authority
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
27 cm
Depth Range
3–30 m
Latitude
24°S – 36°N
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 45 - 47; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8. First dorsal fin very high with short base. Second dorsal and caudal fins dark with white spots and dashes . Head white with two dark brown bars, one through eye, the other more posterior and more diagonal, extending across chest to pelvic fins; body white with a broad dark brown band beginning on front of first dorsal fin, curving across nape, above pectoral fin, and running to mid-base of caudal fin; two narrower dark stripes above and below this band . Mouth small, inferior, nearly horizontal. Spinous dorsal fin very elevated, higher than head length. Gas bladder simple, carrot-shaped without appendages. Sagitta (large earstone) near rounded and thick (Ref 51721).: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spotted drum is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Spotted drum is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m . Tropical; 36°N - 24°S, 98°W - 28°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.5±0.3
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00871 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
27cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
46
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
7

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
36°N – 24°S
Described By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801

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