Description
Also known as Caribbean Triggerfish, Old Wife Fish, Queen Trigger, Turbot.
Found singly, or in schools, over grass and sandy areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on benthic invertebrates, especially sea urchins, which they turn over and attack from underneath, where the spines are shorter.
Juveniles found close to depressions and holes for hiding, over shallow rubble and sandy areas.
Length - 60cm
Depth - 2-200m
Widespread Atlantic Ocean
These are the workers of the reef, often busy turning over rocks, stirring up the sand and biting off pieces of branching coral. This is why one often sees other smaller fish species around it who feed from the left overs.
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!!! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/1936
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