Triggerfish

[denise]

Triggerfishes name is derived from the fact that they have "triggers" (dorsal spines) that lock each other into place. This makes them look bigger to potential predators, and prevents predators from pulling them out of their holes. They have small eyes, situated on top of their large head, and can be rotated independently. Triggerfish have tough skin and scales tat form a tough protective armour on their body. They have strong jaws and sharp teeth, ideal for crushing shellfish, crustaceans and small fish.

Triggerfish form harems consisting of a male and several females during breeding season. The female digs a pit on a sandy bottom, lays her eggs, and then the male fertilizes them. They both guard the nest vigorously and will chase away any intruders, regardless of their size! "Intruders" often include scuba divers, as the triggerfishes territory extends upwards in a cone shape away from their nest towards the surface.

There are two triggerfish species that are common in Florida’s waters, the queen triggerfish, Balistes vetula, and the gray trigger, [/I]Balistes capriscus[/I].


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Gray Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus, West Palm Beach

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Side view of gray triggerfish

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Diver and gray triggerfish eye to eye, West Palm Beach


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Queen Triggerfish, Balistes vetula, Blue Heron Bridge
Photo by Clyde Wetteland