Another xanthic undulated triggerfish has appeared on the marine aquarium scene, and we couldn’t be any more thrilled about it. Once again coming from the RVS Fishworld in the Philippines, this xanthic triggerfish in that it actually supports a very distinct trait of these xanthic triggerfish on which we have commented before.
We’ve noticed that specimens of xanthic triggerfish tend to have their orange stripes break up into orange spots. Although most of the xanthic triggerfish that are collected eventually revert to a more normal deep green base body coloration, they still retain their spotted pattern.
This particular specimen of half-xanthic undulated triggerfish happens to have its xanthic coloration present only on the lower half of its body. Coincidentally, the top half of the normally colored body also has normal continuous stripes, whereas in the xanthic portions of the body the stripes are broken up into spots.
This observation proves rather definitively that there is a clear genetic link between the rare xanthic mutation and the orange spotted pattern of these xanthic Balistapus undulatus. What this observation really means is beyond us, but it will definitely program our rare fish seeking brains to be on the lookout for unusual undulated triggerfish with the search image of a spotted instead of striped pattern.
Of course, the rare reef fish connoisseurs are really all about the angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasses and to a lesser degree surgeonfish since these are docile species and much more suitable to keep in community marine aquariums and mini reef aquariums together with reef corals. It takes a certain kind of saltwater tank to accept specimens of even the most exquisite or rare species of triggerfish, let alone a pugnacious undulated triggerfish.
Whether or not this particular individual of half-xanthic undulated triggerfish retains that bright yellow base coloration, it’ll still make an awesome pet marine fish with a truly unique color pattern in its lower half and tail. The specimen is also much smaller than the xanthic triggerfish that have been collected and documented to date, maybe one day a truly juvenile specimen of xanthic undulated triggefish will be found.
