Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Balistoides viridescens
- Common name
- Titan triggerfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Balistidae
- Genus
- Balistoides
- Size
- 40–75 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial, aggressive
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Balistoides viridescens reaches 75 cm, the largest triggerfish. Grey-green to olive body marked with large dark spots and lines, characteristic green lips, strong incisor teeth. Aggressively territorial: defends a conical territory around its sandy nest, charges and bites divers entering that zone (including biting wetsuits and fins). Indo-Pacific from 1 to 50 m.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Titan triggerfish?
- Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) reaches 40–75 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Titan triggerfish?
- Titan triggerfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Titan triggerfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Titan triggerfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Titan triggerfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Balistidae
- Balistes vetula - Queen triggerfish
- Rhinecanthus assasi - Red Sea Picasso triggerfish
- Odonus niger - Redtoothed triggerfish
- Balistapus undulatus - Orange-lined triggerfish
- Canthidermis sufflamen - Ocean triggerfish
- Rhinecanthus aculeatus - Picasso triggerfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 219875)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2407133)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia