A tuna and a triggerfish

The Moluccan fleet of the Fifth Expedition sailed to the Indonesian archipelago and back to the Netherlands over the course of two years: 1601 to 1603. Along the way, the crew would frequently catch fish from the oceans and seas that the ships traversed. Many of these were drawn in the journal of the Gelderland under the command of admiral Wolphert Harmensz, giving us insights into the great diversity of species the expedition encountered. -This drawing shows tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and a triggerfish (Balistidae). It is not clear which species of triggerfish this drawing depicts. Joris Joostensz. Laerle, artist on board of the Gelderland, likely drew this images of the tuna and triggerfish in the journal of the flagship. The text “satu” refers to the triggerfish. It is a very colourful, expressive and lifelike depiction of the fish. It is one of the highlights of the journal.