Triggerfish

ID points

• Eyes set high and far back on the head, well away from the mouth
• First dorsal fin is a single spine that can be raised and locked
• Propelled by rippling dorsal and anal fins; the body does not sway

Basics

Family

Balistidae

Length

25–50 cm

Depth

1-50 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic

Distribution

Shallow tropical coral reefs worldwide

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs and lagoons

Diet

Sea urchins, molluscs, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Yellow-margin TriggerfishAll fins edged in a bright yellow marginClown TriggerfishA patch of large round white spots on the bellyPink-tail TriggerfishDark brown body with a pink-white tail fin

Fun fact

A triggerfish has a thick spine on its back that locks upright when the fish is alarmed, like the trigger of a pistol. A second, smaller spine has to be pressed down before the first will fold away again, which is where the name comes from. While guarding a nest, a triggerfish will charge at a diver who comes close and bite.

More in this family

• Titan Triggerfish