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Related FAQs: The Fishes of the Cook Islands,

Coverage of families in the Cooks: Surgeons, Doctorfishes, TangsTriggerfishesHawkfishes, Wrasses

Related Articles: Introduction to Fishwatcher's Guide Series Pieces/Sections,

/Fishwatching: Adventure Travel Series

Pet-Fishing in the Cook Islands

Long Version, Pt. IV

To: Pet-Fishing in the Cooks, Short Version, Longer Version: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part V

 

 

Apogonids in the Cooks
v

Only six species found here, some shallow water… but not beautiful.

vApogon kallopterus
vCheilodipterus macrodon

 

Balistids/Triggers N=14!
 

Not a mis-print, there are fourteen species of triggerfishes found in the Cooks:

Balistapus undulatus, Balistoides viridescens, Canthidermis maculatus, Melichthys niger, Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus, P. fuscus, Rhinecanthus aculeatus, R. lunula, R. rectangulus, Sufflamen bursa, Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus, X. mento

 

A few examples shown. Can you identify these to species?

Blennioids
vN= 15, but not many even of this small number of species to be found… and very hard to catch here due to topography. One to definitely avoid.
Here's the fish and diver biting Piano Fangblenny, Plagiotremus tapenisoma. The area also has the Common Cleaner Mimic Saber Tooth Blenny, Aspidontus taeniatus. No thanks.

Gobioids in the Cooks
vAbout same depauperate, availability, catchability as blennioids here. N= 17, only a couple of species of Valenciennea’s are used by the trade.

vBetter as game fish… the fishing is excellent here.
vN=23, with one used commonly in our interest: Gnathanodon speciosus
 

Carcharhinid Reef Sharks
v

N= 10, all unsuitable for hobby use.

vMany sharks at unpopulated northern island group. Not many down south. Shown: Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, C. melanopterus, Triaenodon obesus.

Butterflyfishes: Good ones:
 

Shown: Chaetodon auriga, C. mertensii, C. ulietensis, Forcipiger flavissimus.

More Good Cooks B/F’s

Shown: Forcipiger longirostris, Hemitaurichthys polylepis, Heniochus acuminatus, H. chrysostomus.

 

To Part 5

 


 

 

 

 

 

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