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Finescale Triggerfish, Triggerfish
Blanco, Cochi
(Balistes polylepis)
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: The Finescale Triggerfish is characterized by its easily-recognized shape, with no distinctive markings, and a set of human-like, closely packed front teeth.
It is drab in color, varying from gray to blue gray, to brownish gray. Mature specimens have bright neon blue markings on the head and edges of the fins when feeding or fighting aggressively and "lit up."
The Finescale Triggerfish has fine, small scales on a deep, rounded, very compressed body. The Finescale Triggerfish inhabits rocky reefs and slopes with bounders adjacent to sand. It feeds on sea urchins, small crustaceans, and mollusks.
The Finescale Triggerfish cannot be easily confused with any other species due to its body coloration although the seldomly seen Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish, Canthidermis maculates, and the Stone Triggerfish, Pseudobalistes naufragium, have fairly similar shapes.
Distribution in Mexico fishing areas
In Mexico, the Finescale Triggerfish is found in all fishing waters including around the oceanic islands.
The Finescale Triggerfish reaches a length of approximately 20 inches and up to 7 pounds, and on light tackle might be the toughest fish pound-for-pound in the sea. It is found in the first 100-fee of the water column.
This fish species is a member of a group of bizarre looking fish of the Balistidae or Triggerfish Family.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: One of the more abundant and aggressive fish in the Sea of Cortez. Prefers cut Bonito fished off the bottom in 100 to 200-foot deep water. Will also attack other cut bait, lures, and live Sardines with vigor. Is ready accessible, at certain locations from a panga. Pound for pound the strongest hombre in the sea, especially on light gear! And beware of THE CHOMP when trying to remove a hook--truly lethal! Viewed by locals as good table fare and used extensively in ceviche. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: Mitchell Rose with a nice triggerfish caught during a fishing trip at Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo by Victoria Rose.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: Photo courtesy Trout Traubman.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: A mature finescale triggerfish, showing bright blue markings similar in color to those on a "lit up" marlin, dorado, or wahoo, caught while fishing from the beach by Peter Langstraat, at Punta Colorada, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, October 1997, on cut bait and 12-pound line. Length, a great big 21 inches. That's a big one, and a great catch on 12-pound. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis: Juvenile. Caught fishing with Capt. Pata in the panga Salomé, in 76-degree water, midmorning, in December 2007, off the surface in a bait net, 18 miles north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 2 inches. Fish identification courtesy of H.J. Walker, Jr., Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.
Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepsis: Two deformed fish, illustrative of great adaptability to adversity. First fish (upper photo) probably lost its tail to a predator at a young age and was able to compensate by generating enhanced anal and dorsal fins. Size 20 cm. Second fish probably lost its mid-section to a predator at a young age and also was able to compensate by generating new parts. Size 30 cm. Both fish courtesy of the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Identification support courtesy of H.J. Walker, Jr., Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. Photo courtesy of John Snow.
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