Balistes punctatus Gmelin, 1789
Bluespotted triggerfish
Asno
Balistes punctatus
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,800.0 g; max.weight: 28 kg
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic from Madeira to Angola; including the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found over sand and rock bottoms of coastal waters. Feeds on crabs and bivalves (Ref. 4727).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 16 June 2011 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Recorded from São Tomé Island based on (1) collection and photograph by DOP in Lagoa Azul in 15 m (DOP-ICT 1056-2000, 1: 206 mm SL) and (2) specimen caught by local fishers and photographed by Jean Worms (Ref. 34088). Misidentified as Balistes forcipatus in Ref. 34498, 34503, 34605, 34627, 34983 (Ref. 34088).


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