WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Blue-lined Triggerfish

Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus

Also known as: Blueline Triggerfish, Bluestripe Triggerfish, Goldback Triggerfish, Goldenback Trigger, Goldenback Triggerfish, Outrigger Triggerfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Juvenile
@fishx6 · Mirihi, Maldives · August 20071 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, or in schools, over outer reef slopes, and deep seaward reefs.

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 · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in schools, over outer reef slopes, and deep seaward reefs.

04

Juvenile photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderTetraodontiformes
    5. familyBalistidae
    6. genusXanthichthys
    7. speciesXanthichthys caeruleolineatus Randall, Matsuura & Zama, 1978

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Triggerfishes (Balistidae)