WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Crosshatch Triggerfish

Xanthichthys mento

Also known as: Blue Cheekline Triggerfish, Bluethroat Trigger, Bluethroat Triggerfish, Cross-hatched Trigger, Cross-hatched Triggerfish, Peachface Triggerfish, Pinecone Triggerfish, Redtail Triggerfish, Red-tailed Triggerfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@jpc · Hachijojima, Japan · October 20161 / 1
01

Overview

Found in schools, around drop-offs, of seaward reefs, and around oceanic islands.

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

Fins & Tail
pink tail

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found in schools, around drop-offs, of seaward reefs, and around oceanic islands.

04

Adult photos 1

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. genusXanthichthys
    7. speciesXanthichthys mento (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Triggerfishes (Balistidae)