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From: dpage@ulowell.cs.ulowell.edu (Dee Page)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Spawning of Triggerfish
Message-ID: <945@ulowell.cs.ulowell.edu>
Date: Wed, 14-Jan-87 13:30:39 EST
Article-I.D.: ulowell.945
Posted: Wed Jan 14 13:30:39 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Jan-87 22:24:44 EST
Reply-To: dpage@ulowell.UUCP (Dee Page)
Distribution: world
Organization: University of Lowell
Lines: 25

Hi, does anyone know anything about triggerfish?  There is currently
some research going on at the New England Aquarium concerning the spawning
of triggerfish.  They are observing the triggerfish in captivity and trying
to notice any periodicity.  They have come up with some theories, but are
at a loss to explain them.  It seems they are on a lunar cycle, but they
don't know how the moon could be having any effect.  No moonlight can 
enter, they were in the tank before their first spawning, and they feel
that gravity cannot have a big enough effect due to the size of the tank.
These are not my opinions, I have already told them mine.

What I am wondering is: does anyone have any good references on 
triggerfish;
lunar effects on spawning (my pet theory is the gravitational effect) of
any fish, especially in captivity;
and periodicity in fish in general and
in captivity.  

They are also looking at the effects of the lighting
cycle at the aquarium, temperature, and other variables.  They also
noticed a seasonal peak, but have not acquired enough data to begin
hypothesizing.

Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Dee Page