Triggerfish

There are about 40 species of triggerfish in the Balistidae family, found in tropical and subtropical seas, mostly in the Indo-Pacific. Over a dozen species are found in the Maldives. They have an oval-shaped high-compressed body. The large head terminates in a small but strong-jawed mouth with teeth adapted for crushing shells. Their eyes are small and set far back from the mouth at the top of the head. The anterior dorsal fin is reduced to a set of three spines. The first spine is stout and by far the longest. All three are normally retracted into a groove. Triggerfish can erect the first two dorsal spines; the first (anterior) spine is locked in place by erection of the second spine and can be unlocked only by depressing the second, "trigger", spine.

Blue triggerfish, Odonus niger

Indian triggerfish, Melichthys indicus

Titan triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens

Striped triggerfish, Balistapus undulatus

Clown triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum

Boomerang triggerfish, Sufflamen bursa

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Last modified 1 November 2024