Animal Profiles
Fish

Triggerfish

Balistidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Triggerfishes have deep bodies and strong fin spines. This account follows the grey triggerfish, an Atlantic species that feeds on small animals living on or close to the seabed.

Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), the representative described here.

Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), the representative described here.

Diego Delso · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Balistes capriscus is the representative described here. It uses Atlantic bays, lagoons, harbours and reefs. Young fish may associate with floating Sargassum, while larger animals often remain nearer the bottom.
Habitat
Coral reef, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Molluscs, crustaceans and other bottom invertebrates provide food.

Classification

Common name
Triggerfish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Balistidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Family
Balistidae
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It has plate-like scales.
  • It eats bottom-living invertebrates.
  • Young fish can associate with floating Sargassum.

Habitat and range

Balistes capriscus is the representative described here. It uses Atlantic bays, lagoons, harbours and reefs. Young fish may associate with floating Sargassum, while larger animals often remain nearer the bottom.

Appearance and adaptations

A small mouth sits on a tall body covered with plate-like scales. Faint bars, small blue spots and short lines can appear on the body and fins.

Diet and behaviour

Molluscs, crustaceans and other bottom invertebrates provide food. Grey triggerfish can occur alone or in small groups. Their habitats link sheltered coastal waters with more exposed reef areas.

Sources

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