Hi, first im bot an Angler, I walked the Beach from Clearwater Beach towards Indian Rocks Beach. Id come apon a beautiful Fish gulping for life, I didnt touch it not knowing. But every time I got him in the Water, he'd come back to shore and die. I want to know what kind of Fish it was. It was like 3 sided, and blue with polka dots purplish pink. Thank you for this site. Ive learned a lot.....
Grey Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
Also known as: Common Triggerfish, Filefish, Pig-faced, Turbot
- Common Triggerfish
- Filefish
- Pig-faced
- Turbot
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
They feed on crustaceans, benthic invertebrates, and molluscs.
Sea Urchins are their favourite food, they eat them by blowing water at them to overturn them and then attacking the soft area underneath.
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
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic
- Country only · 6
Adult photos 6
Discussion 1
1 comment
- Beth Verneris· 21 Mar 2018
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

Bluespotted Triggerfish
Balistes punctatus
3 photos

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

Halfmoon Triggerfish
Sufflamen chrysopterum

