Bluethroat Triggerfish

Sufflamen albicaudatum

Also known as: Black Triggerfish, Bluebelly Sufflamen Trigger, Bluebelly Triggerfish, Flagtail Triggerfish, Golden-finned Triggerfish, Golden-lined Triggerfish, Halfmoon Trigger, Halfmoon Triggerfish, Halfmoon Picasso Fish, Haremic Triggerfish, White Rim Trigger, White Rim Triggerfish, Whitetail Trigger, Whitetail Triggerfish, White-tailed Triggerfish, Whitetip Sufflamen Trigger, Whitetip Trigger, Yellow-backed Triggerfish, Yellowstreak Triggerfish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Black Triggerfish
Bluebelly Sufflamen Trigger
Bluebelly Triggerfish
Flagtail Triggerfish
Golden-finned Triggerfish
Golden-lined Triggerfish
Halfmoon Trigger
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Halfmoon Picasso Fish
Haremic Triggerfish
White Rim Trigger
White Rim Triggerfish
Whitetail Trigger
Whitetail Triggerfish
White-tailed Triggerfish
Whitetip Sufflamen Trigger
Whitetip Trigger
Yellow-backed Triggerfish
Yellowstreak Triggerfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022

Add a photo

Bluethroat Triggerfish adult, photographed at Taba Heights, Egypt — @bottleofscotch1 · Taba Heights, Egypt · September 20131 / 3

Overview

Found singly, over open bottoms scattered with coral and rubble on seaward reefs. Adults with distinctive tail fin pattern ending in a part-moon shaped white margin. Juveniles yellow on top and white from below eye level separated by black strip.
Western Indian Ocean - Red Sea to Gulf of Oman

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.