bluetail trunkfish
| Scientific name | Ostracion cyanurus |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Rüppell |
| Year of description | 1828 |
| IUCN category (World) | NE |
| Family | Ostraciidae |
| Genus | Ostracion |
Introduction
The Ostracion cyrnurus, commonly known as the bluetail trunkfish, is a tropical fish found from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size15 cm
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ShapeBalloon and near
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Patterncircle pattern
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size15 cm
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ShapeBalloon and near
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Patterncircle pattern
How to recognize This fish ?
The bluetail trunkfish is always born female. As they grow, individuals will change sex to become male, a phenomenon known as protogynous hermaphroditism.
Sexual dimorphism
Males are blue on the flanks, with small black spots. The back is yellow. Females are yellow with black spots.
The adult male is larger than the female.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous with herbivorous tendency
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Sociabilitysolitary
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territorialYes
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Way of livingdiurnal
Tetrodotoxin or TTX is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria. In this species, it is present in large quantities in the liver, viscera and gonads but is also found in the skin.
Females are more toxic than males, this is due to the high concentration of TTX in the ovaries.
When poisoned, TTX is fatal in more than 50% of cases. This neurotoxin acts on the pores of the sodium channels, which stops the passage of nerve impulses, resulting in partial or total paralysis. Death is most often due to respiratory paralysis triggering cardiac arrest by collapse.
The bluetail trunkfish is a solitary fish that naturally resides near crevices and small shelters in areas with a moderate presence of corals. Generally, it is an independent fish that pays little attention to other species. However, it shows some signs of aggression towards its conspecifics, especially males that do not get along with each other.
Reproduction
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Reproductiondont le mode de reproduction est encore inconnu
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Hermaphroditeprotogynous
Documentation on the reproductive mode is scarce.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Origin and distribution
Geographic distribution & Conservation
This species is found from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf.
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature22 - 28 °C
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Depth5 - 15 m
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FlowMedium and Slow
Biotope presentation
This fish is rarely observed. It resides in the holes and crevices of rocky reefs offshore.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendationsThese tips apply to adult species from breeding. With regards to water conditions, wild species or close relatives must be kept under the same conditions as in their area of origin.
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Min volume300 liters
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Population min1
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Temperature22 - 28 °C
CharacteristicsThe characteristics below apply for adult species. They correspond to an average of cases, validated in maintenance condition.
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Difficulty breedingThe farming difficulty is relative. It depends on experiments already carried out with similar species. First, it takes into consideration the robustness of the species, the ease of recreation of a favorable environment and the general behaviour with the other inhabitants of the aquarium.hard
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Robustnesstolerant
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Behaviourpeaceful
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Availabilityunavailable
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the bluetail trunkfish
The bluetail trunkfish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
The bluetail trunkfish is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species or other animals.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 300 liters.
Fearful by nature, it is advised not to let the bluetail trunkfish cohabit with large territorial species or with too aggressive fish. It can easily evolve with territorial neighbors with a peaceful temperament or with non-territorial species.
Be careful to plan an adequate space for each territorial species. Each species should have a surface and a decor allowing it to juxtapose its territory with that of its neighbors.
Tips for feeding
The bluetail trunkfish is omnivorous with herbivorous tendency.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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egg-laying protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
Species of the same family
Same genus
