Triggerfish
Triggerfish are mostly tropical marine fishes in the family Balistidae, distinguished by strong jaws and a dorsal spine that can lock upright.
Dorsal spine: A fin-supported spine along a fish’s back, used for defense or stabilization in many species. The first dorsal spine locks upright, making it difficult to pull a triggerfish from shelter.
Balistidae: A family of marine ray-finned fishes commonly known as triggerfishes. This is the scientific family that contains all triggerfish species.
Reef fishery: A fishery that harvests species associated with coral reefs and nearby habitats. Some triggerfish are caught for food, making their abundance relevant to reef fisheries.
Titan triggerfish: A large Indo-Pacific triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens, known for defending its nesting territory. Its steep upward defense of a nest makes the species especially notable to divers.
Locking mechanism: A structure that holds a movable part in position until a release action occurs. A smaller second spine braces the raised first spine in a trigger-like lock.
Tetraodontiformes: An order of mostly marine fishes that includes pufferfishes, filefishes, and triggerfishes. Triggerfish belong to this order, whose members often have specialized jaws and reduced scales.
Aquarium trade: The commercial breeding, capture, and sale of aquatic organisms for display. Colorful triggerfish are sold for marine aquariums, though size and aggression limit suitable tanks.
Clown triggerfish: A vividly patterned Indo-Pacific triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum. Its bold spots and bands make it one of the family’s most recognizable aquarium species.
Fish jaw: The paired skeletal structures that open and close a fish’s mouth. Strong jaws let triggerfish crush hard-shelled prey such as sea urchins.
Actinopterygii: The class of ray-finned fishes, whose fins are supported by bony rays. Triggerfish are ray-finned vertebrates, the largest class of living fishes.