Clown Triggerfish

Title

Clown Triggerfish

Artist

Christina Ford

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum), also known as the bigspotted triggerfish, are demersal marine fish belonging to the family Balistidae, or commonly called triggerfish. (This one was photographed in the Marshall Islands)

The clown triggerfish is a fish which grows up to 50 cm. Its body has a stocky appearance, oval shape and compressed laterally. The head is large and represents approximately one third of the body length. The mouth is small, terminal and has strong teeth.

The first dorsal fin is composed of three spines, one of which is longer and stronger. It is erectile and hidden in a dorsal furrow. This set of dorsal spines composed a trigger system which is a characteristic from the family Balistidae. The second dorsal fin is similar in shape and size to the anal fin which is symmetrically opposed to it. The pelvic fin is reduced to a ventral protrusion.

The background coloration is black. Half of inferior part of the body is marked with big white spots which are more or less round. The area around the first dorsal fin is crossed by yellowish sinuosities which draw like a network reminding the leopard's patterns. There is a yellowish ring around the mouth, which is surrounded by another fin white ring. A white stripe ride the snout just under the eyes level. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are white and underlined with a yellow line at their base. The caudal peduncle has a yellowish blotch on its top part and has three horizontal sets of spiny scales. The caudal fin is yellowish in its center and has black margin. Juveniles have a black background coloration spangled with small white spots, the extremity of the snout and the base of the first dorsal fin is yellowish.

Profits I receive from sale of Marine Animal fish photos in the will be donated to the preservation and restoration of our coral reefs. Mission Blue "Help us to build a network of Hope Spots large enough to save the blue heart of our planet" has been identified. Check it out https://mission-blue.org/2015/12/restoring-coral-gardens-in-fiji/

AWARDS - FEATURES - RECOGNITIONS

Featured in the following FAA Groups:
Fish Artists 4/15/19
Beach Moment 4/17/19
Kingdom Animalia 4/21/19
Philanthropic Artists 4/21/19
USA Photographers - Fish of the Day 4/4/20
Lady Photographers and Artists 4/9/20
Macro Marvels 5/14/20
Animal Photographs 5/14/20
Just Perfect 5/15/20
The 200 Club Best Images 5/15/20

Top Finisher in FAA Sponsored Contests:
Group Logo - Philanthropic for a Cause 4/20

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April 15th, 2019

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