Sealife guideThe Tetraodontiformes orderThe taxonomy of marine species
Explore the taxonomy of the sea vertebrates including the cetaceans like the whales or the dolphins, the sea birds, the fish, the sharks and the sea turtles !
The family Balistidae includes marine fish known as triggerfish, found mainly in tropical and subtropical seas. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies, prominent snouts and, above all, their remarkable defense system: a dorsal spine they can lock in place like a trigger to wedge themselves firmly into rock crevices. Their powerful jaws, equipped with robust teeth, allow them to crush the shells of mollusks, sea urchins and the carapaces of crustaceans. Triggerfish are also intriguing for their behavior—sometimes curious toward divers, yet highly territorial, especially during the breeding season. With their stocky bodies and often striking color patterns combining lines, spots and vivid contrasts, they are among the most emblematic and recognizable species of tropical reefs.

Black triggerfish
(Melichthys niger)
(Melichthys niger)

Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Ocean triggerfish
(Canthidermis sufflamen)
(Canthidermis sufflamen)

Orange striped triggerfish
(Balistapus undulatus)
(Balistapus undulatus)

Picasso triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

Pinktail triggerfish
(Melichthys vidua)
(Melichthys vidua)

Queen triggerfish
(Balistes vetula)
(Balistes vetula)

Redtooth triggerfish
(Odonus niger)
(Odonus niger)

Sargassum triggerfish
(Xanthichthys ringens)
(Xanthichthys ringens)

Titan triggerfish
(Balistoides viridescens)
(Balistoides viridescens)

Turbot
(Balistes capriscus)
(Balistes capriscus)

Wedgetail triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
(Rhinecanthus rectangulus)

Yellow-spotted triggerfish
(Pseudobalistes fuscus)
(Pseudobalistes fuscus)

Yellowmargin triggerfish
(Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)
(Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)

Longspined porcupinefish
(Diodon holocanthus)
(Diodon holocanthus)

Bump-head sunfish
(Mola alexandrini)
(Mola alexandrini)
Our latestUpdates

Tuesday, September 16th 2025
The queen triggerfish
Discover the queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula), a colorful Atlantic reef fish known for its strong jaws, unique feeding techniques and fascinating reproductive habits.

Friday, September 5th 2025
The bump-head sunfish
Learn about the bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini), the world's heaviest bony fish, its habitat in tropical and temperate oceans, diet of jellyfish, deep-water behavior and record size over 6,000 lbs.

Wednesday, September 3rd 2025
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
The chocolate chip sea cucumber has a massive cylindrical body that is beige in color, covered with a set of dark brown pustules resembling chocolate chips that protrude slightly from the surface, giving it a resemblance to a cookie, hence its french name. It can reach a length of about 12 inches when fully grown.
Photo of the Day

Poisson perroquet royal
(Scarus vetula)
(Scarus vetula)