The Triggerfishes (Balistidae): The Triggerfish are members of a group of bizarre looking fish of the Balistidae Family known for their unique defensive adaptations.

They have three dorsal spines with a unique ability to lock their first dorsal spine in an erect position that is released by a trigger mechanism generated by the second spine.

This allows them to wedge themselves into rock crevices making it very difficult for a predator to get them out. They have human-like teeth which are truly lethal because they eat coral and rocks day in and day out. They are fearless carnivores feeding on sea urchins, small crustaceans, and mollusks.

The members of the Triggerfish Family represented in the fish identification section of this website include: Blunthead Triggerfish, Pseudobalistes naufragium; Finescale Triggerfish, Balistes polylepis; Orangeside Triggerfish, Sufflamen verres; and Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish or Rough Triggerfish, Canthidermis maculatus.