Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini) fish species and information / pictures of Valentin's sharpnose puffer - Canthigaster valentini

Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini) fish species information

Scientific Name
Canthigaster valentini

Common Name
Valentin's sharpnose puffer

Biology
Found among coral heads and rocks of subtidal lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 4919, 5503). Common on coastal reefs at various depths. Mimic filefish, males are territorial and are often seen fighting (Ref. 48637). Feed mainly on filamentous green and red algae, tunicates, and on smaller amounts of corals, bryozoans, polychaetes, echinoderms, mollusks, and brown and coralline red algae. Form shoals (10-100 or more) often with the filefish, Paraluteres prionurus (about 5% of shoal) mimicking C. valentini to protect it from predators (Ref. 4919, 5503). Territorial and haremic; males spawn with a different female each day (Ref. 9710). One or more territories are occupied and defended each by a female where a single large male stands guard (Ref. 55082). All sexually mature females are territorial females (Ref. 55082). Demersal spawner (Ref. 35298).

Classification

Classified By
Bleeker, 1853
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)
Family
Puffers (Tetraodontidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 4919) and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Range
32°N - 32°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
55 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 55 m (Ref. 1602)
Trophic Level
2.84 s.e. 0.30 Based on food items.
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
11.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (14 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fecundity = 400)
Threat To Humans
  Poisonous to eat (Ref. 4919)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated