Bluespotted Triggerfish
Balistes punctatus
Also known as: Gold Heart Trigger, Golden Heart Triggerfish, Spotted Triggerfish
- Gold Heart Trigger
- Golden Heart Triggerfish
- Spotted Triggerfish
Overview
Found over rock and sandy bottoms, in coastal waters.
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.
How to identify
- Behaviour
- sleeps in sand or crevices
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Eastern Atlantic
- Country only · 3
Found over rock and sandy bottoms, in coastal waters.
Adult photos 3
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
More in the family
Triggerfishes (Balistidae)

Assasi Triggerfish
Rhinecanthus assasi
2 photos

Black Triggerfish
Melichthys niger
16 photos

Blackpatch Triggerfish
Rhinecanthus verrucosus
6 photos

Blue Triggerfish
Pseudobalistes fuscus

Blue-lined Triggerfish
Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus
1 photo

Bluethroat Triggerfish
Sufflamen albicaudatum
3 photos

Boomerang Triggerfish
Sufflamen bursa
19 photos

Bridled Triggerfish
Sufflamen fraenatum
3 photos

Clown Triggerfish
Balistoides conspicillum

Crosshatch Triggerfish
Xanthichthys mento
1 photo

Grey Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus

Halfmoon Triggerfish
Sufflamen chrysopterum