Flagtail Triggerfish (Juvenile)

Scientific Name: Sufflamen chrysopterus
Species: Triggerfishes (Balistidae)
Other names: Half Moon Trigger, Half-moon Triggerfish, Half-moon Picasso Fish, Black Triggerfish, Goldenfinned Triggerfish, Goldenlined Triggerfish, Yellowstreak Triggerfish, Yellow-backed Triggerfish, Blue Belly Triggerfish, Blue Belly Sufflamen Trigger, Bluethroat Trigger, Whitetail Trigger, Whitetail Triggerfish, White-Tailed Triggerfish, White-tip Trigger, White-tip Sufflamen Trigger, White Rim Triggerfish, White Rim Trigger, Haremic Triggerfish.

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Description

Also known as Half Moon Trigger, Half-moon Triggerfish, Half-moon Picasso Fish, Black Triggerfish, Goldenfinned Triggerfish, Goldenlined Triggerfish, Yellowstreak Triggerfish, Yellow-backed Triggerfish, Blue Belly Triggerfish, Blue Belly Sufflamen Trigger, Bluethroat Trigger, Whitetail Trigger, Whitetail Triggerfish, White-Tailed Triggerfish, White-tip Trigger, White-tip Sufflamen Trigger, White Rim Triggerfish, White Rim Trigger and Haremic Triggerfish.

Found singly on seaward reefs, shallow lagoons and semi-exposed outer reef habitats.
Adults with distinctive tail fin pattern ending in a part-moon shaped white margin.
Juveniles yellow on top and white from below eye level separated by black strip.
They feed on a wide range of food items, including live coral, algae, sea urchins, crabs, molluscs and other invertebrate groups as well as fish and sea squirts.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 3-35m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Triggerfish have a hard spine dorsal fin that can be locked.
When sleeping this spine is used to wedge them into place in a crevasse and so deter predators from pulling them out of their bed!
The spine is also held erect as a warning to other fish to stay away.
Several large Titans blow shallow depressions in the sand for nesting and if approached will raise this spine as a warning, if ignored they may charge, even divers! especially the Titan Triggerfish who will take a tasty bite!! Beware!!!

Spotted

The Flagtail Triggerfish (Juvenile) is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 4 times by user @fishx6

Related creatures

Many creatures change during their life. Juvenile fish become adults and some change shape or their colour. Some species change sex and others just get older. The following creature(s) are known relatives of the Flagtail Triggerfish (Juvenile). Click the image(s) to explore further or hover over to get a better view!

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