triggerfish

/trig"euhr fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) triggerfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) triggerfishes.

any of various compressed, deep-bodied fishes of the genus Balistes and allied genera, chiefly inhabiting tropical seas, having an anterior dorsal fin with three stout spines: some are edible while others are poisonous.

[1880-85; TRIGGER + FISH]

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Any of about 30 species (family Balistidae) of shallow-water marine fishes, found worldwide in tropical seas.

Triggerfishes are deep-bodied, usually colourful fishes with large scales, high-set eyes, and three dorsal-fin spines, which they use for protection. When a triggerfish is threatened, it darts into a coral crevice and erects its large and strong first spine, which it locks in place with the second (the "trigger"); when the trigger is later withdrawn, the first snaps back down. Though generally considered edible, some cause food poisoning. The largest grow 2 ft (60 cm) long.

Triggerfish (Balistes conspicillus).

Douglas Faulkner

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▪ fish

 any of about 30 species of shallow-water marine fishes of the family Balistidae, found worldwide in tropical seas. Triggerfishes are rather deep-bodied, usually colourful fishes with large scales, small mouths, and high-set eyes. Their common name refers to the triggering mechanism in the first two of their three dorsal fin spines. The first spine can be erected by the fish and locked in place by the second, the trigger, which must be withdrawn before the first spine is released. The first spine is large and strong and, when locked upright, can hold the fish tightly in protective crevices.

      Triggerfishes are found among reefs and marine plants. Although generally considered edible, some cause food poisoning. The largest triggerfishes grow about 60 cm (2 feet) long. Common species include the queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula), a tropical Atlantic fish brightly striped with blue, and Rhinecanthus aculeatus, a grayish, Indo-Pacific fish patterned with bands of blue, black, orange, and white.

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