Balistes vetula

Balistes vetula
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Tetraodontiformes
Family:	Balistidae
Genus:	Balistes
Species:	B. vetula
Binomial name
Balistes vetula Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Balistes bellus Walbaum, 1792 Balistes pellucidus Hermann, 1804 Balistes equestris Gronow, 1854 Balistes vetula trinitatis Nichols & Murphy, 1914

Balistes vetula, the queen triggerfish or cochino, is a species of triggerfish in the genus Balistes. This fish's coloration is a combination of blue, purple, turquoise, green, yellow, and light blue. It preys on invertebrates, notably sea urchins. In aquariums, it will often eat shrimp, squid, clams, octopuses, scallops, and crabs.

Gallery

Balistes vetula

Balistes Vetula Media

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  A queen triggerfish found in the Bahamas, its striking electric blue rays around the mouth are clearly visible

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  A queen triggerfish found in the coral reef around Cozumel Island, Mexico

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  A front view of the queen triggerfish; It uses sharp incisors to crush hard shells of preys

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  A queen triggerfish kept in National Aquarium in Baltimore

References

1. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2012). "Balistes vetula" in FishBase. June 2012 version.