News from Portsmouth
Baby Triggerfish caught off South Coast
The fish, whose usual habitat is the tropical Atlantic and the Mediterranean, has been appearing in greater numbers along the south coast for the past decade however to date no one has been able to prove they're breeding here.
The tiny 10 cm trigger fish - which was donated anonymously by local fishermen - is now recovering at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth where aquarists are trying to determine if such a young fish could have migrated so far north.
Blue Reef curator James Wright said: "It appears to be in good health with just a small amount of damage to the top of its head. It's now recovering in a tank in our quarantine area and we're hoping to be able to introduce it to our resident shoal of trigger fish in the coming weeks."
Fully grown trigger fish are spectacular looking creatures which can grow up to 40cms in length and weigh more than six kilogrammes.
Until now it's been assumed they migrate into British waters during the summer and then return south as winter sets in. Spawning is thought to take place in the
"For such a small fish to have been found so close to shore would seem to suggest that, in certain areas, they may have started setting up fledgling breeding colonies," said James.
"Sea temperatures along the south coast remain above 12 degrees centigrade from May to November so it's certainly possible that they're able to reproduce here.
"The alternative is that this fish was born in the warmer Atlantic or even the
With global warming and higher sea temperatures, marine biologists believe the species will become an increasingly common visitor. It has been recorded as far north as
The trigger fish gets its name from a specially-adapted spine on its dorsal fins which can be locked into place like the trigger of a gun to anchor themselves into rocky nooks and crannies
