With so many different species in fish in our world’s waters, it’s no surprise that some you might not recognise quite so readily. Triggerfish are one such family of fish that are scattered throughout our seas, but are probably more familiar to divers.
With that in mind, we’re here to bring you all sorts of fascinating information about the triggerfish family and why you should look out for them on your next trip to Blue Planet Aquarium!
What are triggerfish?
Triggerfish belong to the Balistidae family, and there are around 40 different types. They can be found across a variety of habitats, typically in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. You might commonly find them amongst reefs and ledges in the Indo-Pacific, however the grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) can sometimes be found in British waters!
Triggerfish are oval in shape, with a strong jaw and small eyes that are set back from the mouth, but each species can varyin colouring and markings.
Why are they called triggerfish?
Triggerfish got their name for a very interesting reason, in that they have a dorsal spine that can be locked into place, which can only be released when a secondary spine is depressed – just like a trigger!
The base of the second spine slots into a groove in the first spine, locking it in. Triggerfish usually do this to help lock into crevices to avoid predators, but it can also be done to help them look more intimidating.
Hunting and feeding habits of triggerfish
Triggerfish have a very unique way of finding their prey, which includes digging and flapping sand off the bottom of the sea floor to uncover their next meal. They have also been known to squirt water to expose the likes of crabs and worms.
Triggerfish are carnivores, eating a variety of creatures from small crustaceans to sea urchins and snails. They have really tough teeth and jaws to help them feed on sea urchins, and will typically flip them over first to avoid the spines!
Behaviour of triggerfish
Triggerfish really are fascinating creatures with a number of different traits that can be observed. They are typically solitary animals, and can be aggressive – but usually only when protecting their nests. Male triggerfish in particular can be quite territorial, and may charge or bite if they feel provoked.
When raising their young, females will blow water on the eggs to keep them well supplied with oxygen until they hatch. The behaviour is called tending, and is almost exclusively carried out by the females.
Threats to triggerfish
Some of the main conservation issues surrounding triggerfish is that they can be regarded as a food fish, which means they are considered to be a good fish to cook. However, some species of triggerfish can cause poisoning if eaten, so you may want to think twice!
Over time they have become very popular due to their fascinating appearance, but it’s led to fishermen trying to capture threatened species. Because of this, some species are currently classed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, such as the blue-spotted triggerfish (Balistes punctatus) and the queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) which has most recently been identified as ‘near threatened’.
Triggerfish at Blue Planet Aquarium
Here at Blue Planet Aquarium we are well aware of the growing need to preserve our world’s waters and inhabitants. You’ll find a number of triggerfish here, as we raise the awareness of how important these species are and the role they play within their ecosystem. You can ask any of our aquarists on your next visit about our species to learn more about them!
Red-toothed triggerfish
The red-toothed triggerfish (Odonus niger) is usually found in the reefs of the Indo-Pacific. They are a blue-purple in colour, with a lighter head, but the most striking feature is the two long red teeth in the upper jaw. They are visible even when the mouth is closed.
Queen triggerfish
This particular species is usually found in the Atlantic Ocean, amongst coral reefs, rocky bottoms or shallow sandy and grassy areas. The queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) has a distinctive appearance with multiple colours including green, orange-yellow and bright blue bands.
Blue line triggerfish
The blue triggerfish (Pseudobalistes fuscus) is easily recognised thanks to its distinctive markings, covered in bright blue lines as you may imagine. It’s a reef species, usually found in coastal waters or shallow lagoons across the Indo-Pacific.
So, on your next visit to Blue Planet Aquarium, be sure to look out for our species of triggerfish so you can learn more about this fascinating family! Get your tickets online today.