click for previous page

TETRAG

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FISHING AREA 51
(W. Indian Ocean)

TETRAGONURIDAE

Squaretails

Body very elongate, cylindrical; caudal peduncle, very long and thick, square in cross-section, with modified
scales forming 2 lateral keels on each side near base of caudal fin. Head long and somewhat broad, snout long and
blunt; eyes large, without adipose tissue and with a series of grooves on posterior rim; mouth fairly large, maxilla
extending to below eye; premaxilla not protractile; only the ventral border of maxilla visible below large lacrimal
bone, lower jaw appears to shut within upper; teeth small, pointed and recurved in upper jaw; large, flattened and
knife-like in lower jaw; opercles fleshy. Two dorsal fins, the first originating over tip of pectoral fin, with 10 to
20 short spines which fold into a groove, the second with a much shorter base, with 10 to 17 rays; a single anal fin,
similar to the second dorsal; pectoral fins small and rounded; pelvics very small, inserted behind pectoral fin bases
and anterior to origin of first dorsal; caudal fin with 2 rounded lobes, not strongly forked. Lateral line without
pored scales, slightly arched anteriorly, then descending to run along mid-line of sides and ending on caudal
peduncle. Scales moderate in size, with heavy keels, very adherent and following a geodesic pattern around the
body; top of head and snout naked, with small pores.
Colour: adults uniformly brown, ranging from tan to almost black, the young often greyish.

Squaretails are rather small-sized oceanic epi- or mesopelagic fishes (up to about 30 cm in length), almost
never seen inshore. They feed on soft-bodied pelagic invertebrates, and the young commonly occur in
association with salps, even living within them. There are reports that the flesh may be poisonous, and they can in
no case be considered to have fishery potential. Squaretails do figure in the diets of large oceanic fishes.

long D1
strong scales in short D2
geodesic pattern

keels

box-like
mouth
 -2-

FAO Sheets TETRAGONURIDAE Fishing Area 51

SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA :

Nomeidae: body compressed, generally

with elongate pectoral fins; mouth small; scales
thin, small, and easily shed; no keels on caudal
peduncle; caudal fin lobes often folded.
mouth caudal fin lobes
small wing-like often folded
pectoral fin
Nomeidae (Cubiceps)

GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

A single genus, Tetragonurus.

LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Tetragonurus atlanticus Lowe, 1839

Tetragonurus pacificus Abe, 1953

Prepared by R.L. Haedrich, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
 TETRAO

1983
FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FISHING AREA 51
(W. Indian Ocean)

TETRAODONTIDAE

(including Canthigasteridae)

Pufferfishes, blowfishes, tobies

Small to moderate-sized fishes (up to 75 cm in length) with a heavy, blunt body capable of rapid inflation by
intake of water (or air). Head large and blunt, jaws modified to form a beak of 4 heavy, powerful teeth, 2 above
and 2 below; gill openings simple slits anterior to pectoral fins; eyes located high on head. Pelvic fins absent;
dorsal and anal fins located far posteriorly, containing no spines, but 7 to 15 soft rays; caudal fin truncate,
rounded, or emarginate to somewhat lunate. Lateral lines, when present often indistinct, forming an
interconnecting pattern on the sides of head and body, but quite distinct in some genera, e.g., Fugu and Torquigener.
Typical scales absent, but numerous small spiny prickles often present on back and/or belly, sometimes on sides.
Colour: most species are mottled and variegated on back and sides, sometimes with spots of various sizes
and colours, while others are of plain coloration.

Pufferfishes are inhabitants of tropical and temperate seas, most frequent in shallow inshore waters,
sometimes entering brackish and fresh waters, but a few species are pelagic. Usually found alone, although some
species school together, especially for mating purposes. They have the ability to inflate themselves with either air
or water as a deterrent to predators. In addition, the viscera and skin of most species are poisonous, some more
than others. However, the effect of this poison on other marine animals is not fully understood, whereas its
toxicity to terrestrial animals is well known. Careful preparation is required to render pufferfish flesh safe to eat
(removal of skin and viscera) and the resultant product is considered a delicacy in some countries (e.g., Fugu in
Japan). Nevertheless, many deaths still occur each year from the consumption of these fishes.

gill opening

beak

deflated

inflated pelvic fins

absent
 -2-

FAO Sheets TETRAODONTIDAE Fishing Area 51

SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Diodontidae: strong elongate spines cover head and

body; a single tooth in each of the upper and lower jaws
(2 teeth in each jaw in Tetraodontidae).

Monacanthidae: spinous dorsal fin present, usually

consisting of one strong spine with a second much smaller
spine at its rear base. Diodontidae
first dorsal fin spine
second dorsal fin
spine very
small

Diodontidae Tetraodontidae

tooth plates

keel

Monacanthidae
KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

1a. Nostrils minute, rarely visible without aid of Canthigaster Fig.1

magnification; dorsal surface posterior to eyes
distinctly keeled (Fig.1) ............................... Canthigaster

1b. Nostrils easily visible without magnification;

dorsal surface posterior to eyes more or less
smooth, without a distinct keel

2a. Nostril an upright sac with 2 openings

(Fig.2a)
a) Lagocephalus b) Chelonodon c) Arothron
3a. A singl e late ral lin e on si de of bo d y nostril Fig.2
(Fig.3) ............................................. Sphoeroides
1 lateral line
3b. Two lateral lines on side of body (Figs
4 and 5)

Sphoeroides Fig.3
 -3-

FAO Sheets TETRAODONTIDAE Fishing Area 51

upper lateral line

4a. Caudal fin lunate to emarginate
(Fig.4) ....................................... Lagocephalus skin fold

4b. Caudal fin rounded or truncate

(Fig.5)

5a. bony interorbital region broad lower lateral line

Lagocephalus Fig.4
6a. No raised skinfold along
lower side of body, or if
present, mouth antero- skin fold
dorsally positioned .... Amolyrhynchotes

6b. A raised skinfold along

lower side of body; mouth
anteriorly positioned ................... Fugu

5b. bony interorbital region narrow ..Torquigener Torquigener Fig.5

2b. Nostril either an upraised cup with 2

fleshy lobes (Fig.2b) or a solid bifid ten-
tacle (Fig.2c)

7a. A single lateral line on

side of body (Fig.7) …...... Arothron
Amblyrhynchotes Fig.6

7b. Two lateral lines, the

upper joining the lower
in the region above or
behind the anal fin
(Fig.8)

8a. back an d be ll y
with spines .......... Chelonodon
Arothron Fig.7

8b. b e l l y o n l y w i t h
spines .......... Chelonodontops

Chelonodon Fig.8
 -4-

FAO Sheets TETRAODONTIDAE Fishing Area 51

LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Amblyrhynchotes honckenii (Bloch, 1796)

Amblyrhynchotes spinosissimus (Regan, 1908)

Arothron hispidus (Lacepéde, 1802)

Arothron immaculatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Arothron inconditus Smith, 1958
Arothron leopardus (Day, 1878)
Arothron mapp (Lesson, 1830)
Arothron meleagris (Lacepéde, 1798)
Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Arothron stellatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Canthigaster amboinensis (Bleeker, 1865)
Canthigaster bennetti (Bleeker, 1854)
Canthigaster coronata (Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875)
Canthigaster janthinuroptera (Bleeker, 1855)
Canthigaster margaritata (Rüppell, 1828)
Canthigaster natalensis (Günther, 1870)
Canthigaster pygmaea Allen & Randall, 1977
Canthigaster rivulata (Schlegel, 1850)
Canthigaster smithae Allen & Randall, 1977
Canthigaster solandri (Richardson, 1844)
Canthigaster tyleri Allen & Randall, 1977
Canthigaster valentini (Bleeker, 1853)
Chelonodon fluviatilis (Buchanan, 1822)
Chelonodon laticeps Smith, 1947
Chelonodon patoca (Buchanan, 1822)

Chelonodontops pulchellus Smith, 1958

Fugu oblongus (Bloch, 1786)

Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844)

Lagocephalus lagocephalus Linnaeus,1758
Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789)
Lagocephalus spadiceus (Richardson,1844)
Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel,1848)
Sphoeroides pleurospilus (Regan, 1919)

Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker, 1852)

Prepared by G. Hardy, National Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand and B. Hutchins, Western
Australian Museum, Perth, Australia
 TOX

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FISHING AREA 51
(W. Indian Ocean)

TOXOTIDAE

Archerfishes, riflefishes

Body laterally compressed. Eye large; mouth moderate in size. A single dorsal fin with 4 or 5 spines and 12
to 14 rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 15 to 17 rays. Head and body covered with small to moderate scales.

Colour: usually whitish or silvery with several dark spots or bars on sides.
Relatively small fishes living individually or in small groups in brackish (sometimes only slightly) water or in
freshwater streams. They are frequently seen near the surface and are reknowned for their ability to knock down
insects from overhanging vegetation with a jet of water squirted from the mouth.
 -2-

FAO Sheets TOXOTIDAE Fishing Area 51

SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Pempheridae: dorsal fin relatively short, placed

above pectoral fin; anal fin long, usually with more than
30 rays (17 or less in Toxotidae).

Bathyclupeidae: dorsal fin spines absents anal fin

long with a single spine and more than 20 rays; body Pempheridae
elongate (depth 3 or 4 times in standard length); fragile
fishes with deciduous scales living in deep water.

Bathyclupeidae
KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Toxotes only.

LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included

Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) TOX Tox 1

Toxotes jaculator (Pallas, 1766) TOX Tox 2

Prepared by G.R. Allen, Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia

 TOX Tox 1

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: TOXOTIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Toxotes chatareus (Harnilton-Buchanan, 1822)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Spotted archerfish
Fr - Poisson archer tacheté
Sp - Arquero manchado
NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:
Body oblong, compressed; head flattened on dorsal surface; dorsal fin spines 5; lateral line scales 30 to 36.

Colour: body generally pale (grey to silvery); a series of 5 to 7 black blotches on upper sides; dorsal and anal
fins dusky to blackish; pectorals, pelvics and caudal fin slightly dusky.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA :

Toxotes jaculator: 4 dorsal fin spines (5 in T.

chatareus) a series of 4 or 5 black bars on upper sides;
lateral line scales 26 to 30 (30 to 36 in T. chatareus).

SIZE:

Maximum: 30 cm; common to 20 cm.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Toxotes jaculator
Known in the area only from Sri Lanka and India;
also ranges eastward to New Guinea and northern
Australia.

Primarily an inhabitant of brackish mangrove

estuaries, but also penetrates freshwater rivers and small
streams.

Feeds at the surface during the day on floating

debris which includes insects and vegetable matter.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Mangrove estuaries, throughout the year.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species,

but it is common in certain markets.
Caught mainly with seine nets, but also readily
taken by hook and line.
Marketed mostly fresh.
 TOX Tox 2

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: TOXOTIDAE FISHING AREA 51

(W. Indian Ocean)

Toxotes jaculator (Pallas, 1766)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None

VERNACULAR NAMES:
FAO : En - Banded archerfish
Fr - Poisson archer sellé
Sr, - Arquera ensillado
NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:
Body oblong, compressed; head flattened on dorsal surface; dorsal fin spines 4; lateral line scales 26 to 30.

Colour: body generally pare; a series of 4 or 5 black blotches on upper sides; dorsal and anal fins dusky to
blackish; pectorals, pelvics and caudal fin usually pale.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Toxotes chatareus: 5 dorsal fin spines (4 in T.

jaculator); a series of 5 to 7 black blotches on upper sides;
lateral line scales 30 to 36 (26 to 30 in T. jaculator).

SIZE:

Maximum: 30 cm; common to 20 cm.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Toxotes chatareus
Known in the area only from India; also ranges
eastward to Australia, the New Hebrides and Solomon
Islands, and northward to the Philippines.

Primarily an inhabitant of brackish mangrove

estuaries, but also penetrates freshwater rivers and small
streams.

Feeds at the surface during the day on floating

debris which includes insects and vegetable matter.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Mangrove estuaries, throughout the year.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species,

but it is common in certain markets.

Caught mainly with seine nets, but also readily

taken by hook and line.

Marketed mostly fresh.

click for next page