Abalistes stellatus (Lacepède, 1798)

Yennawar, Prasanna, Mohapatra, Anil & Tudu, Prasad Chandra, 2017, An account of Ichthyofauna of Digha coast, West Bengal, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 117 (1), pp. 4-4 : 4-

47. Abalistes stellatus (Lacepède, 1798)

Starry triggerfish (Figure 48)

Material examined: 1 ex., 09.06.2011, Mohana, Digha Reg No. MARC /ZSI/F1866 ,

Description: D: III, 25-27, A: 0, 24-25. Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Three prominent dorsal fin spines, the first capable of being locked erect by the second; caudal fin rays of adults prolonged above and below. Caudal peduncle depressed. Colour grey dashed with olive-green; 3 large white blotches on back, disappearing in large specimens; numerous small blue spots on body and 3 or 4 yellow lines from mouth to pectoral fin base; soft dorsal and anal fins with yellow, slightly oblique stripes; pectoral fins yellow.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Persian Gulf to South Africa (also reported from West Africa), east to the western Pacific.

Remarks: The fish has no fisheries value. Size: 60 cm.