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 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
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 © Izanbar | Dreamstime.com
Within the same family

Black triggerfish
(Melichthys niger)
(Melichthys niger)

Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Gray triggerfish
(Balistes capriscus)
(Balistes capriscus)

Ocean triggerfish
(Canthidermis sufflamen)
(Canthidermis sufflamen)

Picasso triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

Pinktail triggerfish
(Melichthys vidua)
(Melichthys vidua)

Queen triggerfish
(Balistes vetula)
(Balistes vetula)

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

Banded butterflyfish
(Chaetodon striatus)
(Chaetodon striatus)

Blue striped grunt
(Haemulon sciurus)
(Haemulon sciurus)

Leafy sea dragon
(Phycodurus eques)
(Phycodurus eques)

Mimic surgeonfish
(Acanthurus pyroferus)
(Acanthurus pyroferus)

Passer angelfish
(Holacanthus passer)
(Holacanthus passer)

Pearly razorfish
(Xyrichtys novacula)
(Xyrichtys novacula)

Ribboned sweetlips
(Plectorhinchus polytaenia)
(Plectorhinchus polytaenia)

Snubnose pompano
(Trachinotus blochii)
(Trachinotus blochii)
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