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

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 © Izanbar | Dreamstime.com

Within the same family

Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Ocean triggerfish
(Canthidermis sufflamen)

Orange striped triggerfish
(Balistapus undulatus)

Picasso triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

Pinktail triggerfish
(Melichthys vidua)

Queen triggerfish
(Balistes vetula)

Redtooth triggerfish
(Odonus niger)

Wedgetail triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus rectangulus)

Discover also

Clown frogfish
(Antennarius maculatus)

Common two-banded seabream
(Diplodus vulgaris)

Dogtooth tuna
(Gymnosarda unicolor)

Hector's goby
(Koumansetta hectori)

Highfin coral grouper
(Plectropomus oligacanthus)

Neon goby
(Elacatinus oceanops)

Speckledfin grouper
(Epinephelus ongus)

Spiny seahorse
(Hippocampus histrix)

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