Blue blanquillo

Blue blanquillo
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Malacanthidae
Genus:	Malacanthus
Species:	M. latovittatus
Binomial name
Malacanthus latovittatus (Lacépède, 1801)
Synonyms
Labrus latovittatus Lacépède, 1801 Oceanops latovittatus (Lacépède, 1801) Taenianotus latovittatus (Lacépède, 1802) Malacanthus taeniatus Valenciennes, 1839 Malacanthus urichthys Fowler, 1904

The blue blanquillo, Malacanthus latovittatus (also known as the banded blanquillo, striped blanquillo, false whiting, sand tilefish or eye of the sea), 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).

Description

File:Blue blanquillo.jpg

A blue blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus).

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.

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.