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TRIGGERFISH - BALISTIDAE
Triggerfish are easy to recognize because of their laterally-compressed body, small mouth and strong teeth. Their second dorsal and anal fins reflect their shape. Their first dorsal fin has a large spine that can be held erect and locked by a second spine. This spine is used to secure themselves into crevices when in danger or sleeping. Triggerfish are active in the day and mostly live solitary or in loose groups like the redtooth triggerfish (Odonus niger). They mainly feed on hard-scaled invertebrates, sea urchins and benthic sea weeds, although some species feed on zooplankton. Triggerfish lay their eggs in nests which they make by blowing a shallow depression into a sandy bottom. These nests are mainly guarded by the females and they can be very aggressive. If approached they swim very fast towards the intruder, only turning away at the very last moment. Every intruder that comes too close will be bitten! I myself have been attacked when guiding people, although am lucky, as in many other cases people ended up with stitches. The area they protect starts from the nest going upwards in a V-shape. When having problems with an aggressive triggerfish, swim away from the nest to one of the sides and not upwards. We don’t have any information at present about their reproduction.
- Check the sub-map for the specimen information files -