Halfmoon Triggerfish

Sufflamen chrysopterum

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

ALSO KNOWN AS

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

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022

LIFE STAGE

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Halfmoon Triggerfish adult, photographed at Gangehi, Maldives — @fishx6 · Gangehi, Maldives · March 20081 / 22

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

Overview

Found singly and territorial, over shallow, silty, lagoons to clear outer reef walls, and seaward reefs. Adults with distinctive tail fin pattern, ending in a part-moon shaped white margin.

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.