Orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Balistapus undulatus
- Common name
- Orange-lined triggerfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Balistidae
- Genus
- Balistapus
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Balistapus undulatus reaches 30 cm. Triggerfish with green-brown to dark brown body entirely covered with bright orange wavy parallel lines (hence undulatus), black spot on caudal peduncle. Dimorphism: males with yellow-orange saddle around snout, females without. Lives from 1 to 50 m on coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Particularly aggressive and territorial, readily attacks divers approaching nest. Very resistant scales. Characteristic and spectacular photo subject.
Photo of Orange-lined triggerfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Orange-lined triggerfish?
- Orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Orange-lined triggerfish?
- Orange-lined triggerfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Orange-lined triggerfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Orange-lined triggerfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Orange-lined triggerfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Balistidae
- Balistes vetula - Queen triggerfish
- Sufflamen bursa - Scythe triggerfish
- Rhinecanthus aculeatus - Picasso triggerfish
- Odonus niger - Redtoothed triggerfish
- Canthidermis sufflamen - Ocean triggerfish
- Canthidermis maculata - Spotted Triggerfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 219874)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2407167)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia