BALISTIDAE Triggerfishes, filefishes, leatherjackets

Triggerfishes are related to the puffer fish and trunk fishes. They are curiously shaped with high foreheads with the eyes also very highly placed above a longish pointed snout. Small to medium-sized fishes with deep, compressed body shape covered with minute rough scales. Gill opening reduced to small slit. First dorsal spinous and restricted to no more than three spines. Pelvic fins either absent or fused. They move by propelling themselves with their second dorsal and anal fins in an undulating motion, and only use their tails in an emergency when under threat. They vary from the colourful and aptly-named Picasso triggerfish to darker and much larger specimens. Abalistes stellaris, Sufflamen chrysopterus, Sufflamen albicaudatus.

Starry triggerfish (Abalistes stellaris)

Grey-green dorsally, vividly marked with small, light blue spots, blotches and 'brain' lines anteriorly. High set small eyes, small powerful jaws. First dorsal fin with three spinous rays, caudal peduncle small. Pectoral fins small and rounded, pelvic fleshy, merging with underbelly. Indo-Pacific, Arabian Gulf and east coast coral reefs, rocks and structures. These attractive trigger fishes are normally caught in fish traps and nets set for other species. 60 cm.

Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus assasi)

Pointed snout, caudal fin pale and slightly rounded. Caudal spines with three horizontal black bands. Vertical dark brown stripe with blue edges from eye to gill rakers, preceded by yellow bar lined with pale blue stripe. Ventrally black surrounded by bright orange. A colourful and distinctive triggerfish. East coast, coral reefs and inshore rocks. Feeds on zooplankton, crabs, and molluscs. 25 cm