Buffalo trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus) fish species and information / pictures of Buffalo trunkfish - Lactophrys trigonus

Buffalo trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lactophrys trigonus

Common Name
Buffalo trunkfish

Biology
With small diffuse white spots; two areas where the hexagonal plates are dark-edged, forming chain-like markings, one on the pectoral region of the body and the other half way between gill opening and posterior end of carapace; large individuals lose the pale spots and chain markings and develop an irregular dark reticulate pattern over the entire carapace and caudal peduncle (Ref. 13442).

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)
Family
Boxfishes (Ostraciidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951), Massachusetts (USA) to Brazil, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 50345).
Range
43°N - 33°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
2 m
Depth To - meters
50 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 50 m (Ref. 9710)
Trophic Level
3.14 s.e. 0.44 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
55.0 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec assumed to be > 10,000)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 4690)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated