iTriggerfish
Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Tetraodontiformes Family: Balistidae
Genera
See text. Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) photographed by Jan Derk in April 2004 in Koh Tao, Thailand. ... Titan Triggerfish Categories: Animal stubs ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Phyla Subregnum Parazoa Porifera Subregnum Eumetazoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Radiata (unranked) Ctenophora Cnidaria Bilateria (unranked) Acoelomorpha Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia Chordata Hemichordata Echinodermata Chaetognatha Xenoturbellida Superphylum Ecdysozoa Kinorhyncha Loricifera Priapulida Nematoda Nematomorpha Onychophora Tardigrada Arthropoda Superphylum Platyzoa Platyhelminthes Gastrotricha Rotifera Acanthocephala Gnathostomulida Micrognathozoa Cycliophora Superphylum Lophotrochozoa Sipuncula Nemertea Phoronida Ectoprocta Bryozoa... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Families Balistidae - Triggerfishes Diodontidae - Porcupinefishes Molidae Monacanthidae - Filefishes Ostraciidae - Boxfishes Tetraodontidae - Pufferfishes Triacanthidae - Triplespines Triacanthodidae - Spikefishes Triodontidae - Three-toothed puffer The Tetraodontiformes are an order of highly derived ray-finned fish, also called the Plectognathi. ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ...

Triggerfishes are brightly coloured fish of the family Balistidae. A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded; covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. ... In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is 1) a rank or 2) a taxon in that rank. ...

Marked by lines and spots, they inhabit warm coastal waters of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... The Indo-Pacific is the aggregate of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the minor seas between the two in the general area of Indonesia. ...

Their size varies from 30 cm (1 foot) to 75 cm (2.5 feet). Most are solitary and diurnal. They feed on hard-shelled invertebrates, a few feed on large zooplankton or algae. They lay their demersal eggs in a small hole, dug in the ground. Some species guard their eggs. The demersal zone is the part of the sea or ocean comprising the water column that is near to (and is significantly affected by) the coast or the sea floor. ...

Triggerfish have a roundish, laterally flat body with an anterior dorsal fin. They can erect the first two dorsal spines, the first one locks and the second one unlocks. This prevents predators from swallowing them or pulling them out of their holes. This locking and unlocking behaviour is why they are named 'triggerfish'. Dorsal Fin of the Orca A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of fishes, whales, dolphins and porpoises. ... Raised thorns on the stem of the wait-a-bit climber Thorns on rose stems A spine is a rigid, pointed surface protuberance or needle-like structure on an animal, shell, or plant, presumably serving as a defense against attack by predators. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ...

They have a small pectoral fin, fused to one spine. Unlike the spine of a filefish, the spine of the triggerfish can be held in place by a second spine to make the fish more threatening to the predator. Their small eyes, situated on top of their large head, can be rotated independently. They have tough skin, covered with rough rhomboid-shaped scales that form a tough armour on their body. A big, angular-shaped head extends into a snout with strong jaws and sharp teeth, made for crushing shells. Each jaw contains a row of eight teeth, while the upper jaw contains another set of six plate-like teeth. Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than does air. ... In most biological nomenclature, a scale (Greek lepid, Latin squama) is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animals skin to provide protection. ...

Some species of triggerfish are known to make a sound akin to a grunt or snarl when taken out of the water.

Behavior

A few of the triggerfish species can be quite aggressive during reproduction season. In particular Picasso triggerfish and titan triggerfish viciously defend their circular nests against any intruders, including scuba divers and snorkelers. Their territory extends in a cone shape from the nest to the surface, so swimming upwards puts one further into the fishes' territory. A horizontal swim away from the nest site is the most sensible course of action when confronted by an angry triggerfish. In contrast to the relatively small Picasso triggerfish, the Titan triggerfish poses a serious threat to inattentative divers due to its large size and powerful teeth. Binomial name Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), Blackbar triggerfish is a triggerfish, up to 30 centimeter in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. ... Titan Triggerfish Categories: Animal stubs ... Early ideas of autonomous under-water systems appear in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Scuba Diving is the use of independent breathing equipment to stay underwater for long periods for recreational diving and professional diving. ...

Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

Redtoothed triggerfish (Odonus niger) feeding on plankton

Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) with Orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) and moorish idols at the reef of Fihalhohi, Maldives

Orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus)

Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger) and its reflection

Halfmoon triggerfish.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1800x1416, 610 KB) Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1800x1416, 610 KB) Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England. ... Binomial name Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), Blackbar triggerfish is a triggerfish, up to 30 centimeter in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x790, 678 KB) Group of Redtoothed Triggerfish (Odonus niger) feeding on plankton brought to the reef by the current. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x790, 678 KB) Group of Redtoothed Triggerfish (Odonus niger) feeding on plankton brought to the reef by the current. ... The Redtoothed Triggerfish is also commonly referred to as the Niger trigger. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) photographed by Jan Derk in April 2004 in Koh Tao, Thailand. ... Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) photographed by Jan Derk in April 2004 in Koh Tao, Thailand. ... Titan Triggerfish Categories: Animal stubs ... Binomial name Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797) The orange-lined triggerfish or orange-striped triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area. ... Binomial name Zanclus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a small perciform marine fish, the sole representative of the family Zanclidae (from the Greek zagkios, oblique). A common inhabitant of tropical to subtropical reefs and lagoons, the Moorish Idol is notable for its wide distribution throughout the... Fihaalhohi is a Maldives resort island within the Kaafu Atoll. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 725 KB) Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 725 KB) Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus). ... Binomial name Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797) The orange-lined triggerfish or orange-striped triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 1115 KB) Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 1115 KB) Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger). ... Binomial name Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786 Melichthys niger Range Circumtropical Habitat Open waters, shallows, exposed reefs, 5-35 metres (16-115 feet) Size 25 centimetres (10 inches) Categories: Animal stubs ... Image File history File links Sufflamen_chrysopterum. ... Image File history File links Sufflamen_chrysopterum. ... Binomial name Sufflamen chrysopterum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) The Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-West Pacific area. ...

Genera

• Abalistes Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  • Abalistes stellaris : Starry triggerfish
• Balistapus Tilesius, 1820
  • Balistapus undulatus : Orange-lined triggerfish
• Balistes Linnaeus, 1758
  • Balistes capriscus: Grey triggerfish
  • Balistes ellioti
  • Balistes polylepis : finescale triggerfish
  • Balistes punctatus : Bluespotted triggerfish
  • Balistes rotundatus
  • Balistes vetula : Queen triggerfish
  • Balistes willughbeii
• Balistoides Fraser-Brunner, 1935
  • Balistoides conspicillum : Clown triggerfish
  • Balistoides viridescens  : Titan triggerfish, mustache triggerfish
• Canthidermis Swainson, 1839
  • Canthidermis maculata: Spotted oceanic triggerfish
  • Canthidermis macrolepis : Large-scale triggerfish
  • Canthidermis sufflamen : Ocean triggerfish
• Melichthys Swainson, 1839
  • Melichthys indicus : Indian triggerfish
  • Melichthys niger : Black triggerfish
  • Melichthys vidua : Pinktail triggerfish
• Odonus Gistel, 1848
  • Odonus niger : Redtoothed triggerfish
• Pseudobalistes Bleeker, 1865
  • Pseudobalistes flavomarginatus Yellowmargin triggerfish
  • Pseudobalistes fuscus : Blue or rippled triggerfish, blue-and-gold triggerfish, yellowspotted triggerfish
  • Pseudobalistes naufragium : Stone triggerfish
• Rhinecanthus Swainson, 1839
  • Rhinecanthus abyssus
  • Rhinecanthus aculeatus Picasso triggerfish, Lagoon triggerfish (USA)
  • Rhinecanthus assasi : Arabian picasso triggerfish
  • Rhinecanthus cinereus
  • Rhinecanthus lunula : Halfmoon picassofish
  • Rhinecanthus rectangulus: Reef triggerfish, Humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua'a (Hawaii)
  • Rhinecanthus verrucosus : Blackbelly triggerfish
• Sufflamen Jordan, 1916
  • Sufflamen albicaudatum : Bluethroat triggerfish
  • Sufflamen bursa : Boomerang triggerfish
  • Sufflamen chrysopterum : Halfmoon triggerfish
  • Sufflamen fraenatum : Masked triggerfish
  • Sufflamen verres : Orangeside triggerfish
• Xanthichthys Kaup in Richardson, 1856
  • Xanthichthys auromarginatus : Gilded triggerfish
  • Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus : Bluelined triggerfish
  • Xanthichthys lineopunctatus : Striped triggerfish
  • Xanthichthys mento : Redtail triggerfish
  • Xanthichthys ringens : Sargassum triggerfish
• Xenobalistes Matsuura, 1981
  • Xenobalistes punctatus : Outrigger triggerfish
  • Xenobalistes tumidipectoris

Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723 - 1799) was a German medical doctor and naturalist. ... Johann Gottlob Schneider (January 18, 1750 - January 12, 1822), German classical scholar and naturalist, was born at Koilmen in Saxony. ... Binomial name Abalistes stellatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 The Starry Triggerfish (Abalistes stellaris), or Flat-tailed Triggerfish, is a tropical, harmless, oviparous bottom dweller, caracterized by some white spots along the spinal dark band. ... Binomial name Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797) The orange-lined triggerfish or orange-striped triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area. ... Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707 – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[1] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Binomial name Balistes capriscus (Gmelin, 1789) The grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is a triggerfish of Eastern Atlantic areas. ... Genera See text. ... Binomial name Balistoides conspicillum Bloch & Schneider,, 1801 The Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum, is a solitary fish most commonly found around coral reefs near steep drop offs. ... Titan Triggerfish Categories: Animal stubs ... William Swainson William Swainson (October 8, 1789 - December 6, 1855), was an English ornithologist and artist. ... William Swainson William Swainson (October 8, 1789 - December 6, 1855), was an English ornithologist and artist. ... Binomial name Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786 Melichthys niger Range Circumtropical Habitat Open waters, shallows, exposed reefs, 5-35 metres (16-115 feet) Size 25 centimetres (10 inches) Categories: Animal stubs ... The Redtoothed Triggerfish is also commonly referred to as the Niger trigger. ... Binomial name Pseudobalistes flavomarginatus (Rüppell, 1829) Pseudobalistes flavomarginatus Range Tropical Indo-Pacific Habitat Coastal waters, 2-50 metres (7-165 feet) Size 60 centimetres (23 inches) Categories: Animal stubs ... Binomial name Pseudobalistes fuscus (Bloch & Schneider,, 1801) The Blue or Rippled Triggerfish, Pseudobalistes fuscus is, as you might have guessed, a brilliant blue colour. ... William Swainson William Swainson (October 8, 1789 - December 6, 1855), was an English ornithologist and artist. ... Binomial name Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), Blackbar triggerfish is a triggerfish, up to 30 centimeter in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. ... Binomial name Rhinecanthus rectangulus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 The reef, rectangular, or wedge-tail triggerfish, also known by its Hawaiian name, (IPA: , also spelled humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua‘a or just humuhumu for short; meaning triggerfish with a snout like a pig [1]), is one of several species of triggerfish. ... Binomial name Sufflamen chrysopterum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) The Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-West Pacific area. ...

References

• "Balistidae". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. December 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.

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