Titan Triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider 1801)


Other Names: Black-lipped Triggerfish, Blue-finned Triggerfish, Dotty Triggerfish, Dotty Trigger-fish, Giant Triggerfish, Moustache Triggerfish

A Titan Triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens, lying down for a cleaning at Elphinstone Reef, Red Sea. Source: Derek Keats / Flickr. License: CC BY Attribution

Summary:

A large distinctive triggerfish with a dark heavily scaled body, a deep groove in front of each eye, a naked area around the lips, and about five rows of small forward-curving spines on either side of the caudal peduncle.

The Titan Triggerfish is renowned for its aggressive behaviour when nest guarding during the breeding season. Females have attacked many divers during this time and their strong teeth can inflict a painful injury.

Aggressive Titan Triggerfish

Video of a Titan Triggerfish crunching through coral in search of prey.


Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Balistoides viridescens in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/762

Titan Triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider 1801)

More Info


Features


Author

Dianne J. Bray

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37465048

Danger:Aggressive when nesting

Depth:1-50 m

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:75 cm TL

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