Clown Triggerfish nibbling corals dappled with colours

Clown Triggerfish nibbling corals dappled with colours

Clown Triggerfish perfectly matching the vibrantly coloured corals dappled with splashes of yellow and orange, on which it nibbles. Triggerfish derive their name from their dorsal spine which can be locked into an raised position by an additional, smaller dorsal spine. The raised spine is released by depressing the smaller (trigger) spine. The more aggressive Triggerfish use their raised spine as a warning for fish or other creatures invading their territory. Also, very cleverly, they use their spine to lock themselves into coral crevasses. Adults generally swim about openly by the reef drop-off, only retreating into caves when disturbed.

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Clown Triggerfish Facts
Other names: Big-spotted Triggerfish, Crossbow Clownfish
Scientific name: Balistoides conspicillum
Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Max. size: 50 cm
Diet: Coastal reefs, outer reefs, seaward reefs by steep drop-offs
Habitat: Clear waters of inner and outer reefs, reef flats rich in algae, reef drop-offs
Depth: 1 - 75 metres
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa and east through Indonesia to Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia.