Triggerfish are colourful, curious creatures found in warm waters around the world. Feisty in nature, they protect their nest with their biting abilities, especially if threatened during a new moon. They roam the waters alone, taking on sea urchins and unassuming divers. If you want to learn a thing or two about these creatures (and how to avoid being nipped), then read on for our top facts about triggerfish.
Name Origins
Triggerfish get their name from their unique dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin (the one on their backs) has three spines that can be locked into place and used as an anchor or as a defensive mechanism, should they end up inside the mouth of a predator.
Large Family
The Balistidae family boasts 40 species of triggerfish, all of whom roam in warm seas around the world. Known for their robust, oval bodies and feisty personalities, triggerfish can range in size from eight to 20 inches, with the largest being the stone triggerfish, which reach over three feet in length. Despite their size, all triggerfish share a reputation for being fiercely territorial, especially around nesting sites.
Appearance
As we mentioned, triggerfish are oval-shaped, but they're also colourful in appearance. A fact about triggerfish that we love is that they vary in colour. Some of our favourites are the Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum), with its bold black spots and yellow-orange hues, found around coral reefs in Australia and Indonesia; the Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens), showcasing vibrant green and yellow, common in the Great Barrier Reef; and the Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), with its striking blue and yellow patterns, residing in the Philippines.
Fight or Flight
While triggerfish may be feisty in nature, when threatened they can also flee the scene and dive into a tight crevice. At this point they will lock their dorsal fin into position, anchoring themselves into place so that the predator can't pull them out. Trust us, you don't want to put your hand inside and try to remove them. Not only won't you be able to do so, but you may come away with some bite marks...
Toothy
Given the previous fact, it's unsurprising that if you try to reach out to a triggerfish, you may come away with some bite marks. This is because triggerfish have eight strong teeth (four on top and four on the bottom), and while their jaws are small, they are certainly powerful. An important fact to know about triggerfish is that they're infamous for their feisty nature. They've been known to charge any intruders, be it another fish or a diver.
Feeding Frenzy
Have you ever seen a triggerfish eat? They use their fins to dig out their prey (look out crabs and worms…), flapping away the debris before blasting the area with water. Their teeth also come in handy when they fancy some sea urchins. Their tough jaws can flip over the urchins and crack into their undersides (which have fewer spines) for a tasty treat.
Solidarity Swimmers
You won't often find triggerfish swimming with buddies, unless it's at specific mating sites, following schedules dictated by the moon and tides...
Moon Cycles
The one time when you will find a school of triggerfish is during a full or new moon. Several species of the triggerfish family time their spawning to the lunar and tidal cycles. They lay eggs two to six days before a full moon and three to five days before a new moon. Spawning usually happens about three days before a spring tide, often around sunset, to reduce strong currents on developing eggs. For example, the Redtoothed Triggerfish (Odonus niger) spawns in sync with the full moon to ensure widespread egg distribution, while over in the Great Barrier Reef, the Yellowmargin Triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus) follows similar lunar patterns.
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