The Ill-tempered Triggerfish

By Scuba Diver Life

We're going to hover at a distance and learn a little more about this beautiful but sometimes aggressive fish

  • Tropical Locations

    All of the 40 species of triggerfish prefer tropical or subtropical waters, favoring the Indo-Pacific region.  With the exception of the oceanic triggerfish, they tend to keep close to shallow, coastal reefs with sandy areas.

  • Mid-sized

    Big, but not too big, most triggerfish are somewhere between 7 and 20 inches in length.   But the largest, the stone triggerfish (not pictured here), can get over 3 ft in length.

  • Eat the Tough Stuff

    With their strong jaws and large teeth, triggerfish generally live off of crustaceans, urchins, and mollusks.  They're also known as some of the most intelligent fish and have shown they can learn from prior experiences.

  • Easily Identified

    Nearly all of the species of triggerfish have oval bodies with a large head and comparatively small eyes.  Their tails are crescent shaped, and most have a dorsal fin with a spike that can be erected at will - usually when aggravated.

  • Amorous

    Males are territorial and defend their territory as well as mate with all females residing in it, or even those just passing through.  The red-toothed triggerfish will sometimes mate with up to 10 females in one day. 

  • Nesters

    Males and females prepare their nest by blowing water over the sand to create a small hole or indentation. After spawning, the eggs are cared for equally by both parents.  They will protect the eggs as well as tend them by blowing or fanning water over them to increase the oxygen the eggs receive.

  • Aggressive

    While males will aggressively defend their territory from other males, both males and females will defend their nesting area.  Their zone of defense extends like a cone upward from the nest, so bear it in mind if you encounter one. They've been known to dish out some nasty bites.

  • Can Be Poisonous

    Along with some other species of larger fish, triggerfish can contain ciguatoxin, something found in the algae they eat on the reefs.  These toxins can be transferred if you get bitten.

  • Give Them Space

    Regardless of when or where you see them, be aware that you could be in their territory and behave accordingly. It's best to take your pictures from a distance and give them all of the room they want.

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