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The titan triggerfish, giant triggerfish or moustache triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) is a large species of triggerfish found in lagoons and at reefs to depths of 50 m (160 ft) in most of the Indo-Pacific, though it is absent from Hawaii. With a length of up to 75 centimetres (30 in),[1] it is the largest species of triggerfish in its range (the stone triggerfish, Pseudobalistes naufragium, from the east Pacific is larger).[2]
| Titan triggerfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Balistidae |
| Genus: | Balistoides |
| Species: | B. viridescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801) | |
Behavior
The titan triggerfish is diurnal and solitary. It feeds on sea urchins, molluscs, crustaceans, tube worms and coral.[1] It often feeds by turning over rocks, stirring up sand and biting off pieces of branching coral. This is why other smaller fish species are often seen around it, as they feed on the detritus and smaller organisms that are stirred up. Titan triggerfish have been observed being aggressive to other fish who enter their territory.
Interaction with humans
The titan triggerfish is usually wary of divers and snorkelers, but during the reproduction season the female guards its nest, which is placed in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. The territory around the nest is roughly cone-shaped and divers who accidentally enter it may be attacked. Divers should swim horizontally away from the nest rather than upwards which would only take them further into the territory.[3][4] Although bites are not venomous, the strong teeth can inflict serious injury that may require medical attention.[3][4][5][6]
The threat posture includes the triggerfish facing the intruder while holding its first dorsal spine erect.[3] It may also roll onto its side, allowing it a better look at the intruder it perceives as threatening its nest. The titan triggerfish will not always bite, but can swim at snorkellers and divers escorting them out of their territory.
The flesh of the titan triggerfish is sometimes ciguatoxic.[3][5]
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2010). "Balistoides viridescens" in FishBase. 1 2010 version.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2010). "Pseudobalistes naufragium" in FishBase. 1 2010 version.
- Randall, J. E. (2005). Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific. University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-2698-1.[page needed]
- Randall, J. E.; Millington, J. T. (1 May 1990). "Triggerfish bite – a little-known marine hazard". Journal of Wilderness Medicine. 1 (2): 79–85. doi:10.1580/0953-9859-1.2.79.
- Lieske, E., & R. Myers (1999). Coral Reef Fishes. 2nd edition. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-00481-1[page needed]
- Debelius, H. (1993). Indian Ocean Tropical Fish Guide. Aquaprint Verlags GmbH. ISBN 3-927991-01-5[page needed]
- "Balistoides viridescens". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 January 2006.
External links
- Photos of Titan triggerfish on Sealife Collection
На других языках
- [en] Titan triggerfish
[es] Balistoides viridescens
Balistoides viridescens es una especie de peces de la familia Balistidae en el orden de los Tetraodontiformes.[fr] Baliste à tête jaune
Balistoides viridescens est une espèce de poissons marins démersale de la famille des Balistidae. Il possède plusieurs noms vernaculaires comme Baliste titan, Baliste à tête jaune, Baliste à moustache ou Baliste olivâtre.[ru] Голубопёрый балистод
Голубопёрый балистод[1] (лат. Balistoides viridescens) — тропическая морская рыба из семейства спинороговых.Другой контент может иметь иную лицензию. Перед использованием материалов сайта WikiSort.org внимательно изучите правила лицензирования конкретных элементов наполнения сайта.
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