WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Blackpatch Triggerfish

Rhinecanthus verrucosus

Also known as: Blackbelly Picassofish, Blackbelly Triggerfish, Blackblotch Triggerfish, Black-tailed Triggerfish, Bursa Trigger, Bursa Triggerfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh Resort, Indonesia · August 20081 / 6
01

Overview

Found singly or in loose schools, over coral, rubble, and seagrass beds, of sub-tidal reef flats and protected lagoons, rich in algae growth. Very territorial.

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.

02

How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 6
LIVES IN

Found singly or in loose schools, over coral, rubble, and seagrass beds, of sub-tidal reef flats and protected lagoons, rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 6

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderTetraodontiformes
    5. familyBalistidae
    6. genusRhinecanthus
    7. speciesRhinecanthus verrucosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Triggerfishes (Balistidae)