Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Genus: Eupercaria, Malacanthidae (Tilefishes)
Scientific Name: Malacanthus latovittatus
English Name: Blue blanquillo
Creole Name:
French Name: Matajuel bleu
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
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: 3-4; Dorsal rays: 43-47; Anal spines: 1; Anal rays: 37-40.
Elongated body with pointed snout. Maxilla does not reach past front edge of eye. Preoperculum margin smooth. Operculum has sharp spine level with eye.
Caudal fin truncate.
Colour. Head and anterior body bluish. Broad dark midlateral band on flank from midway behind pectoral fin rays down into caudal fin. Band is edged in
white dorsally with pale band ventrally. Terminal white blotch on caudal fin. Adults have fine lattice patterning dorsally. Dorsal fin greyish with pale
marginal band. Anal and pelvic fins white. Pectoral fins bluish. In juveniles the dark midlateral band covers nearly entire body and caudal fin and
extends across head to to tip of snout.
Size:
Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 45.0 cm SL; commonly to 35.0 cm SL.
Habitat and Ecology:
Inhabits outer reefs slopes (depth 5-65 m, usually 20-65 m). Lives in and around a burrow it constructs using sand and rubble. Usually encountered hovering
above the substrate seeking prey. Feeds on benthic invertebrates and zooplankton, also feed on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, molluscs, worms,
sea urchins and small fish. Solitary or in pairs. wary species, swims away from threats rather than diving into its burrow. Forms pairs for breeding.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It has yet to be documented in the artisanal catch.
Notes:
Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
References:
ALA. Malacanthus latovittatus (Lacépède, 1801), Blue Blanquillo. https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/e633c8fb-4736-40d4-a978-afcc3d2a79eb (13/08/22).
Bray. D.J. Malacanthus latovittatus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4244 (13/08/22).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Malacanthus-latovittatus.html (13/08/22).
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., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Malacanthus latovittatus, Blue blanquillo. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/malacanthus-latovittatus-lacepede-1801/
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