Description
Also known as Orange-sided Triggerfish, Yellowbelly Triggerfish, Yellow-bellied Triggerfish.
Found singly or in small schools, along rocky reefs and coastlines, sometimes in deep water swimming high above the reef. Usually observed at nesting time when guarding their nests!
They feed on small crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 3-36m
Widespread Eastern 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!!! (edit) Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/13533
1 comment
You might want to check on the distribution of this fish. Other sources say it's on the western side of the Pacific. We definitely saw it in the Galapagos.