Blackbelly triggerfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackbelly triggerfish |
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The blackbelly triggerfish (Rhinecanthus verrucosus) is a cool ray-finned fish that lives in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It belongs to a fish family called Balistidae, which are known for their unique "trigger" fin. Sometimes, you might hear it called the blackpatch triggerfish. This fish is also sometimes kept in home aquariums.
What Does the Blackbelly Triggerfish Look Like?
The blackbelly triggerfish has a body that is flat from side to side, like a pancake. It also has a long snout. Its body shape is like a diamond. This fish can grow up to 23 centimeters (about 9 inches) long.
Its mouth is at the very tip of its snout. Its eyes are set high on its head, above a long, straight forehead. The top half of its body is light brown, and its belly is white.
You can spot a dark brown stripe just below its eye. It also has a very big black spot on its underside, right before its anal fin. Near its tail, it has three short rows of spines that point forward.
The front part of its dorsal fin (the fin on its back) has three spines. These spines can fold down into a groove on its body. The back part of this fin has 23 to 26 soft rays. Its anal fin, which is on its belly, looks similar to the back dorsal fin and has 21 to 23 soft rays. The pectoral fins, on its sides, have 13 to 14 rays. Most of its pelvic fin is covered by a flap of skin, except for the very tip.
Where Do Blackbelly Triggerfish Live?
The blackbelly triggerfish lives in shallow parts of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. You can find it in places like the Seychelles and Chagos Islands. Its range extends all the way to Japan, Vanuatu, and Australia. In 1995, one was even seen near Boca Raton, Florida. It was likely a fish that escaped from an aquarium.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
The blackbelly triggerfish likes to have its own space! It is a territorial fish. This means it will defend its home against other triggerfish, including the lagoon triggerfish.
It lives in lagoons and on reef flats. It especially likes areas with seaweed, corals, seagrasses, sandy spots, and rocky places. This fish might even move to different spots depending on how high or low the tide is.
