#triggerfish

[i-give-you-a-fish]

Trick or treat!

You get a Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish

Canthidermis maculata

[vintagewildlife]

Pink-tailed triggerfish By: Ron Church From: The Fascinating Secrets of Oceans & Islands 1972

[antiqueanimals]

Lagoon triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), Reef triggerfish (Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa) (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula), Boomerang triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa), Orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus), Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)

Fishes of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1964.

Internet Archive

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #850

Wedgetail triggerfish!

Its eyes can move independently of each other! Like other triggerfish, it hunts by blowing jets of water from its mouth at the seafloor, aiming to uncover hiding invertebrate prey.

[eddieintheocean]

everyone go look at the comedy wildlife photography awards NOW

this is the underwater winner from last year

(credit to: Arturo Telle Thiemann)

LIL TRIGGERFISH GUYS

[demifiendrsa]

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 animated shorts posters

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[fish-daily]

I would love to see a redtoothed triggerfish!

fish 294 - redtoothed triggerfish

[mayhw]

I love her so much???

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is the reef triggerfish!

The Reef Triggerfish, also known by Hawiian name humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, and scientific name Rhinecanthus rectangulus, is known for its prevalence across the indo-pacific, and for being Hawaii's state fish! Their range stretches from the Hawiian islands to the Eastern Philippines,Northern Australia, Indian ocean, small sections of the red sea, and the mediterranean. This fish lives its life out along reefs and other sea shelves, as their hunting style consists mostly of digging in the sand and rocks for prey, similar to pigs digging for truffles. Their diet consists of reef invertebrates, algae, small crabs, sea urchins, and other benthic animals. This diet can support them to sizes of 10-12 inches, which is the smaller range for triggerfishes.

These fish, like many other triggerfish, gain their name from their ability to fire and aim jets of water, which it will also use to hunt and find prey beneath the surface. They also will use this against other fish and larger beings in their territory, as reef triggerfishes are intensely territorial, and solitary other than in breeding season. This can manifest in cases where reef triggerfish chase and bite humans viewing reefs. When met with predators, the reef triggerfish, similar to other triggerfish, finds small holes within rocks or corals that it will lodge itself within. The first dorsal spine will act as a physical barrier that can lock in an upright position, making it harder for predators to pry it out of their safe havens. Due to the shape of their spines and fins, these fish can swim forward, backward, and hover in the water.

Like most fishes, reef triggerfish have a breeding season from April-August, and classically have females lay eggs and males fertilize in groups. This being the one of the only times they interact with other of their species intentionally. Then after this, a female will build a nest, and wait with eggs until a few weeks after they hatch, at which point the fish will set out independently. Reef triggerfish can also change coloration, turning a more vibrant shade for breeding seasons. They will also present vibrantly when healthy, sexually mature, and unthreatened. They can also change colors to better match an environment around them, and do so nightly when they settle into holes to rest.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

[respect-the-locals]

🐠 Daily Fish Fact: 🐠

Lagoon Triggerfish moves through the water by using waving motions in its dorsal and anal fins, allowing it to move more precisely. Using these movements, it can move forwards, backwards or simply hover in place above the reef. This means that it can more easily back out of crevices than other unidirectional fish.

[i-give-you-a-fish]

I would like to see your strongest warrior

He is on his way to kick your ass as we speak

i didn’t tell him to do it, he’s just like that

You get a Titan Triggerfish

Balistoides viridescens

[vintagewildlife]

White-spotted triggerfish By: Douglas Faulkner From: The Fascinating Secrets of Oceans & Islands 1972

[marinememes]

Something something clownin around

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #777

Ocean triggerfish!

It often likes to hang around Sargassum seaweeds. Like other species of triggerfish, the ocean triggerfish straightens out its first two dorsal fin spines to anchor itself tightly to crevices and to deter any would-be predators.

[herpsandbirds]

Blue Triggerfish (Pseudobalistes fuscus), juvenile. family Balistidae, Hurghada, Egypt

photograph by Shelley Palmer