Description:
Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 25-27; Anal rays: 24-25.
Greyish to greenish brown dorsally, with small pale spots. Whitish ventrally with yellow spots that can coalesce to form a reticulum particularly posteriorly. 3 large
oval white spots along the back and a small one dorsally on caudal peduncle; a broad white streak often on side of body posterior to upper end of gill opening. White
blotches and mid-lateral stripe can disappear with growth. An oblique groove before the eye; large bony scales behind gill opening. Caudal peduncle depressed, slender
and tapering. Yellow bands on dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin, yellow with white bars and stripes pattern and diffuse black margin, double emarginate, lobes longer
with growth.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 60cm TL
Habitat and Ecology:
Reef associated. Inhabits mud and silt sand bottoms (depth 7-350m), usually 7-100m depth on sand, sponge, and weed bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals, including crabs,
molluscs and sea urchins. Juveniles in sheltered coastal bays and estuaries.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in both the fish trap and hand line fisheries and is, along with Sufflamen fraenatum,
the most commonly caught triggerfish in the artisanal fishery.
Notes:
Abalistes stellaris is a synonym for this species.
References:
Bray, D.J. (2018). Abalistes stellatus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/759 (30/10/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase https://www.fishbase.de/summary/abalistes-stellatus (30/10/18)
Matsuura, K. (2015). Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014. Ichthyol Res (2015)
62:72–113 DOI 10.1007/s10228-014-0444-5
Matsuura, K. & Motomura, H. (2015). Abalistes stellatus. The IUCN Red List 2015: e.T193587A56996805. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/193587/56996805 (18/06/22). .
Matsuura K, Yoshino T (2004). A new triggerfish of the genus Abalistes (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae) from the western Pacific. Rec Aust Mus 56:189-194
Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. & Mason-Parker, C. (2019). Abalistes stellatus, Starry triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/abalistes-stellatus-anonymous-1798/ (updated 18/06/22).
Description:
Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.
A large moderately elongate fish. Eyes large, lower jaw slightly projecting. A single row of conical teeth in jaws and usually one or two pairs of enlarged canines anteriorly.
Scaled maxilla extends to below middle of eye. The scale rows along the back run parallel to the lateral line.
Colour. Red above and pinkish to white below. The margins of the dorsal and caudal fins are red. The tip of the lower lobe of the forked caudal fin is white.
Size:
Maturity: Lm 61 cm FL. Max Length: 127 cm FL.
(the Lm 61 cm FL was from a Papua New Guinea study, in Hawaii Lm is reported to be 30 cm)
Habitat and Ecology:
Known from both continental shelf and slope waters, inhabits rocky bottoms at depths between 90 and 400 m, usually 200 to 350 m. Feeds on fish and large invertebrates such
as squid, shrimp and crabs. Known to occur in aggregations.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the deep hand line fishery. It is a rare sight at the main Victoria market, but this may
reflect the vast majority being sold at landing direct to agents for export.
Notes:
References:
Allen, G.R. (1985). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6 Snappers of the World. UNFAO Rome 1985.
Australian Museum. Ruby Snapper, Etelis carbunculus (Cuvier, 1828) https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/ruby-snapper-etelis-carbunculus-cuvier-1828/ (23/03/19).
Bray, D.J. Etelis carbunculus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1238 (24/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.org/summary/87 (23/03/19).
Russell, B. et al. (2016). Etelis carbunculus. The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T154999A46634266.en. (23/03/19).
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Etelis carbunculus, Deep-water red snapper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/etelis-carbunculus-cuvier-1828/ (edited 18/07/22).
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