Sealife guideThe titan triggerfishBalistoides viridescens

Last updated on 09/04/2025 at 10:41 PM
Taxonomy
  • Common name: Titan triggerfish, blue-finned triggerfish
  • French name: Baliste titan, baliste olivâtre, baliste à moustaches
  • Spanish name: Pez ballesta titan
  • Scientific name: Balistoides viridescens (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
  • Family name: Balistidae
  • Order name: Tetraodontiformes
  • Class name: Actinopterygii
Description
The titan triggerfish is the largest triggerfish you may encounter underwater, reaching a maximum size of about 30 inches. The titan triggerfish has an oval-shaped body with a predominantly green coloration. The tip of its body and the base of its tail display a whitish area.
The titan triggerfish is the largest triggerfish you are likely to encounter underwater
The titan triggerfish is the largest triggerfish you are likely to encounter underwater
The titan triggerfish has a black line just above its mouth that resembles a mustache. The titan triggerfish has spines on the first of its dorsal fins, which is normally folded down and large teeth at the front of its mouth.
Geographic range
The titan triggerfish can be found in the Maldives, southern Asia, east Africa, the Red sea and the central Pacific ocean.
Habitat
The titan triggerfish can be found from the surface down to about 165 feet deep. It frequents reef areas and lagoon waters.
Diet
The titan triggerfish feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and even sea urchins.
Reproduction
During the breeding season, the titan triggerfish builds its nest in coral debris or sand. The female lays her eggs in the nest and both parents fiercely protect them from any predators that come too close.
Did you know ?
The titan triggerfish has extremely strong jaws that allow it to crush shells or even break coral to reach its food.
The titan triggerfish is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The titan triggerfish appears in the IUCN Red List since 2022 within the category Least Concern !
Tips for observing
Be careful not to get too close to the titan triggerfish's nesting area during the breeding season, as it vigorously defends its nest. It will not hesitate to deliver painful bites to any intruder who ventures too near !
The titan triggerfish has an oval-shaped body with a predominantly green coloration
The titan triggerfish has an oval-shaped body with a predominantly green coloration © | Dreamstime.com
Within the same family
Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger)
Black triggerfish
(Melichthys niger)
Blue throated triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Ocean triggerfish (Canthidermis sufflamen)
Ocean triggerfish
(Canthidermis sufflamen)
Orange striped triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus)
Orange striped triggerfish
(Balistapus undulatus)
Sargassum triggerfish (Xanthichthys ringens)
Sargassum triggerfish
(Xanthichthys ringens)
Turbot (Balistes capriscus)
Turbot
(Balistes capriscus)
Wedgetail triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
Wedgetail triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
Yellowmargin triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)
Yellowmargin triggerfish
(Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)
Discover also
Bird mouth wrasse (Gomphosus varius)
Bird mouth wrasse
(Gomphosus varius)
Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis)
Common snook
(Centropomus undecimalis)
Gorgeous prawn-goby (Amblyeleotris wheeleri)
Gorgeous prawn-goby
(Amblyeleotris wheeleri)
Lemon damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)
Lemon damselfish
(Pomacentrus moluccensis)
Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)
Lumpfish
(Cyclopterus lumpus)
Mimic surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Mimic surgeonfish
(Acanthurus pyroferus)
Signalfin sandgoby (Fusigobius signipinnis)
Signalfin sandgoby
(Fusigobius signipinnis)
Spotgill cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus chrysopomus)
Spotgill cardinalfish
(Ostorhinchus chrysopomus)

Our latestUpdates

The tiger snake eel
Thursday, September 25th 2025
The tiger snake eel
Explore the tiger snake eel (Myrichthys maculosus), featuring a creamy to pale yellow body dotted with black spots, and learn about its habitat, behavior and role in coral reef ecosystems.
The queen triggerfish
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.
The bump-head sunfish
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.
Photo of the Day
Poisson papillon à bandes noires (Chaetodon striatus)
Poisson papillon à bandes noires
(Chaetodon striatus)