Blue Blanquillo

Q: Where can you find Blue Blanquillo?

Blue Blanquillo can be found in: Egypt East, Laccadive Islands, Mariana Islands, Australia West, Saudi Arabia West, Malaysia East, Taiwan, Australia North, Marshall Islands, Malaysia West, Hawaii, Somalia East, Vanuatu, Sudan, Brunei, China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Australia, Hong Kong, Kenya, India, Israel, USA West, Japan South, India East, India West, Thailand East, Thailand West, Israel South, Oman, Oman East, Somalia North, Australia East, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, Seychelles, Cambodia, Indo-Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tanzania, Malaysia, USA, South Africa, Red Sea, Japan, Indonesia, Chagos Islands, Mozambique, Jordan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Egypt, Tonga and Samoa, Yemen, Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, Kiribati, Djibouti, Comoros, Fiji, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Somalia.

Malacanthus latovittatus

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Max Size

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Max Weight

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Max Depth

65 m

Malacanthus latovittatus is a species of tilefish from the family Malacanthidae. The fish is known to swim at depths of 20–22 metres (66–72 ft) with temperatures of 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).

Other names: Banded Blanquillo, Striped Blanquillo, False Whiting, Sand Tilefish or Eye of the sea.

Description

The blue blanquillo is one of the many members of the Malacanthidae family, which are distinguishable by their streamlined bodies and the large crest on their head. The fish is primarily blue, with some shades of yellow, and can change colour in different situations. On their backs, there is a series of stripes that run across its body. Their belly is white and the head colour changes from a light blue to a pinkish mix during spawning season. Max length is 45 cm, common length is 35 cm.

Taxonomy

The Blue blanquillo is the only species within the genus Malacanthus, which itself is in the family Malacanthidae, commonly known as tilefish. The Malacanthidae are part of the Percoidea, a suborder of the order Perciformes. Both subfamilies have relatively long dorsal fins and anal fins.

Distribution and origins

Blue blanquillo fish are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific area, ranging from the Red Sea to the Line Islands, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia and the Cook Islands. They are often seen in areas around coral reefs near the sea floor. This particular species gets its name from its bluish coloration.

Behaviour

Malacanthus latovittatus does not swim in schools, they are often found swimming alone or in pairs. They are known to clean other fish, but may mimic the wrasse to inhibit predators from eating it. They tend to swim high above the substrate to pick prey from the substrate with their excellent eyesight.

Ecology

The blue blanquillo's primary staple is benthic invertebrates or zooplankton, but they also feed on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, molluscs, worms, sea urchins and small fish. Their common predators are reef sharks, and other larger fish; they are also eaten by humans.