Triggerfish is a type of colorful fish that lives in coastal waters of warm and tropical seas. Most triggerfish are less than 11/2 feet (46 centimeters) long and have a roundish body with flattened sides.
Queen triggerfish
The first three spines of a triggerfish’s dorsal fin are specialized. The fish uses these spines to enlarge its body when threatened. The first spine is long and strong. It can be locked in place by the second, smaller spine, which lifts up and acts as a “trigger.” When frightened, the fish hides in a crack or crevice and locks its spine. The fish then cannot be removed by predators. It returns to its normal size by releasing its second spine.
Gray triggerfish and black triggerfish
Triggerfish are closely related to filefish. There are approximately 120 species of triggerfish and filefish. Sixteen species of triggerfish and filefish live along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Three species of triggerfish live along the mainland Pacific Coast. The state fish of Hawaii, the Humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua’a, is a triggerfish.
