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9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Clown Triggerfish |
| Scientific Name: |
Balistoides conspicillum |
| Range: |
Warm parts of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean |
| Habitat: |
Reefs that are rich in coral |
| Natural Diet: |
Sea urchins, clams, snails, sea squirts, crabs, shrimp,
and other hard-shelled prey |
| Zoo Diet: |
Scallops, capelin, shrimp, squid, krill, aquarium flake
food, brine shrimp, and vegetables |
Physical
Characteristics: |
The top half of the fish is mostly black with a yellow
patch containing black shapes. The bottom half is black with large white
spots. Their lips are bright orange, hence the name “clown” triggerfish.
Adults can grow up to 20 inches. |
| Behavior: |
They can lock their dorsal fins upright, enabling them
wedge themselves into holes or crevices in the coral. Once they are
wedged in, it is almost impossible for a predator to remove them. |
| Reproduction: |
Triggerfish breed in harems, a group consisting of one
male and several females. The males will watch over a certain area or
territory, protecting these females and their young. After the male
fertilizes the eggs, the female lays them in a nest. The male guards the
nest until the eggs hatch. When the eggs have hatched, the female looks
after the young. |
| Notes: |
To find hiding prey, the clown triggerfish blows jets
of water out of its mouth towards the sand. Their eyes move
independently, which allows them to scan the entire reef at once,
looking for food and predators. |
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