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Balistes capriscus

(Gray Triggerfish)

Overview

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Inhabits bays , harbors, lagoons , and seaward reefs[1]. May drift with young at surface among Sargassum[1]. Usually solitary or in small groups[1]. Because it is resistant to capture , it proliferates and competes for food with other species[2]. Feeds on benthic invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans[3].

Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Albanian:

Peshk Derr

Common Names in Arabic:

ﻑﻮﻠﺣ, Hallouf, ﻑﻮﻠﺣ, Khanzyr

Common Names in Catalan:

Ballesta

Common Names in Creole, Port:

Fambil

Common Names in Creole, Portuguese:

Fambil, Tambor

Common Names in Creoles and Pidgins,:

Fambil, Tambor

Common Names in Croatian:

Buc, Kostorog, Miš, Mih, Mihaèa, Mihaa, Miš, Mi, Pe(s)šebala, Pe(s)šebala, Pe(s)ebala, Pešeluna, Pešebala, Pešeluna, Peeluna, Sonfiš, Sonfiš, Sonfi, Tenka

Common Names in Danish:

Almindelig Aftrækkerfisk, Almindelig Aftrkkerfisk

Common Names in Dutch:

Trekkervis

Common Names in English:

Cucuyo, Filefish, Gray Triggerfish, Grey Triggerfish, Leatherjacket, Pig-Faced, Trigger Fish, Triggerfish, Turbot

Common Names in Ewe:

Akpgba, Akpãgba

Common Names in Finnish:

Säppikala, Sppikala

Common Names in Fon Gbe:

Takpolou Ou Gbagbazoléké

Common Names in Fon GBE:

Takpolou Ou Gbagbazolk

Common Names in French:

Baliste, Baliste Boomerang, Baliste Cabri, Baliste Capri, Baliste Commune, Baliste Gris, Fanfré, Fanfr, Poisson Gchette, Poisson à Gâchette, Poisson-Gchette, Poisson-Gâchette, Poisson-Porc

Common Names in German:

Drückerfisch, Drckerfisch, Grauer Drückerfisch, Schweinedrückerfisch, Schweinedrckerfisch

Common Names in Greek:

Γαϊδουρόψαρο, Γουρουνόψαρο, Μονόχειρος, Μονόχοιρος, Gourounópsaro, Gourounpsaro, Γαϊδουρόψαρο, Γουρουνόψαρο, Μονόχειρος, Μονόχοιρος, Monochiros

Common Names in Greek, Modern (1453):

Gourounópsaro, Μονόχειρος, Monochiros

Common Names in Italian:

Mola, Pesce Balestra, Pesce Palo, Pesce Porco, Pesce Puorco, Pesce Sorice, Pescio Porcu, Pisci Poccu, Pisci Porcu

Common Names in Japanese:

Mongarakawahagi, Nezumimongara

Common Names in Maltese:

Hmar

Common Names in Mandarin Chinese:

加羅利鱗魨, 斑點鱗魨, 灰鱗魨, 灰鱗魨, 灰鳞鲀, 加罗利鳞鲀, 加羅利鱗魨, 斑点鳞鲀, 斑點鱗魨

Common Names in Norwegian:

Avtrekkerfisk

Common Names in Polish:

Rogatnica

Common Names in Portuguese:

Acar-Fuso, Acar-Moc, Acaramuçu, Acaramuu, Acarapicu, Acarapucu, Acará-Fuso, Acará-Mocó, Cangulo, Cangulo Papo-Amarelo, Cangulo-Branco, Cangulo-Cinzento, Cangulo-Da-Parede, Cangulo-De-Fernando, Cangurro, Capado, Fantasma, Maracuguara, Peixe Porco, Peixe-Burro, Peixe-Gatilho, Peixe-Mola, Peixe-Porco, Pero, Peroatinga, Peroá, Perua, Pir-A, Piraaca, Pirá-Açá, Pirá-Acá, Piru, Piruá, Porco, Tapa

Common Names in Rumanian:

Balista, Balista

Common Names in Russian:

спинорог, Amérikansky Spinorogue, Amrikansky Spinorogue, спинорог, Riba-Kourok, Séri Spinorogue, Sri Spinorogue

Common Names in Serbian:

Kostorog, Mihaca

Common Names in Slovene:

Balestra

Common Names in Spanish:

Ballesta, Bot, Cachúa, Cacha, Cochino Gris, Cocuyo, Common Triggerfish, Escopeta, Lija Moteada, Peje Puerco, Pejepuerco, Pejepuerco Blanco, Penolera, Pez Ballesta, Puerco, Roncon, Sabaco, Sobaco, Tapa Fallas, Varraco

Common Names in Susu:

Tokho Yèkhè, Tokho Ykh

Common Names in Swedish:

Filfisk, Grå Tryckarfisk, Gr Tryckarfisk, Tryckarfisk

Common Names in Turkish:

Çütre Baligi, Çütre Balığı, tre Baligi

Common Names in Wolof:

Ndor, Ndox

Description

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Family Balistidae

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Usually compressed body. Pelvic fins fused to one spine. First dorsal spine with locking mechanism . With 12 principal rays in caudal fin. 18 vertebrae . Upper jaw non-protrusible. Upper jaw usually with four teeth in outer and three in the inner series on each premaxillary . Capable of rotating eyeballs independently. Triggerfish normally swim by undulating their second dorsal and anal fins, but will use their tail for rapid bursts. Most triggerfishes are solitary diurnal carnivores , feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates including hard-shelled mollusks and echinoderms ; some also feed on algae or zooplankton . They lay demersal eggs in a nest which is aggressively guarded by the female, less often by the male. Popular and hardy in aquaria , but often aggressive.The family Balistidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes ) and the Order Tetraodontiformes. It contains 11 genera and 40 species. It may be found in Marine environments and is primarily Marine. Many members of this family are used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are guarders . The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is balistiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the middle Oligocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name : Greek, balein = to throw

Physical Description

Species Balistes capriscus

Distinctive Features: The body of the gray triggerfish is laterally compressed , with tough leathery skin and two dorsal fins. The triggerfish gets its common name from the spines on the dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin has three spines that can be locked into an erect position for use as predator-defense and as an anchoring device. The first spine is very strong and is connected in function with the second spine. When threatened, the triggerfish will dive into a tight crevice, wedging itself tightly and anchoring into place by erecting and locking the first spine. When the second spine is depressed its acts as a trigger , unlocking the first spine. The second dorsal fin is located directly opposite of an almost identical anal fin. The dorsal fins as the primary means of locomotion, are flapped back and forth in unison, propelling the fish through the water. The caudal fin lobes are elongate in large adults . Eyes of the gray triggerfish are located distant from the mouth . The scales on the front half of body are large and plate-like while the scales on the posterior are smooth . There are one or more enlarged scales located behind the gill opening. Small opercula are located directly above the pectoral fins. The pectoral fin is short and rounded and the dorsal fins are separate.

The primary body color of adult gray triggerfish is light gray to olive-gray to yellowish-brown. This fish appears dull gray while swimming in open waters , however it has the ability to change its coloration slightly to match other surroundings. There are three faint broad dark blotches on upper body and often white dots and lines on the lower body and fins . Blue spots and lines are located on the upper body and dorsal fin. There is a pale narrow band on the chin and the upper rim of the eye is blue. The dorsal and anal fins appear marbled in color. Gray triggerfish fade in color as they age.

Dentition: The mouth is small with strong jaws that contain eight strong incisor-like specialized teeth used to chisel holes of hard-shelled prey items.

Color:

Juvenile gray triggerfish are yellowish with small violet dots. At lengths less than 50 mm, large, irregular dark patches form on the body and the fins are tinted with yellow, blue, and olive or the second dorsal, anal , and caudal fin membranes are translucent . Saddle markings interspersed with light spots also appear on the dorsal and anal fins.

Size/Age/Growth

This triggerfish can weigh up to 13 pounds (5.9 kg ) and grow to a maximum length of approximately 30 inches (76 cm). Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years of age, measuring 12 inches (30 cm) in length at first spawning . The maximum age of triggerfish is believed to be approximately 13 years. Males are commonly 44 cm (Total Length) in length when caught/marketed, but may be as large as 60 cm (Total Length).

Habitat

Preferring hard bottoms , reefs, and ledges, the gray triggerfish is abundant in nearshore and offshore locations. This fish inhabits bays , lagoons , and seaward reefs to depths of 180 feet (55 m ). The adults drift along the bottom either alone or in small groups, while the juveniles drift at the surface with sargassum. May be found at depths of 0 to 100 meters.

Typically found in water with a depth of 0 to -5,132 meters (0 to -16,837 feet).[4]

Biome: Saltwater . Reef-associated .

Biology

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Diet

As a diurnal predator , the gray triggerfish feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, sand dollars, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and bivalve mollusks. During one study, triggerfish were observed displaying an interesting feeding behavior. They moved away from their reef home , out over sand, and assumed a vertical position a few inches above the bottom . The fish directed a stream of water at the sand with enough force to reveal sand dollars living below the surface. If none were present, the fish moved about three feet away and continued this behavior. When the triggerfish was successful at exposing a sand dollar, it repeated the blowing action, further exposing the prey . Next, the triggerfish darted in, grabbing the sand dollar with its beak-like teeth, lifting it above the bottom and dropping it. This process was repeated until the sand dollar landed upside down . This was followed by the triggerfish assuming a vertical position over the sand dollar, and with jaws closed , thrusting downward, crushing the center. The fish then ate the soft inside tissues of the sand dollar. Triggerfish also locate and eat sea urchins in a similar manner. Juvenile triggerfish associated with sargassum communities feed on algae, hydroids , barnacles, and polychaetes .

Reproduction

During July through September after water temperatures reach 70°F (21°C), gray triggerfish build their nests on the bottom substrate. Between 50,000 and 100,00 eggs , depending upon the size of the female, are laid in a hollow nest scooped out of the sand . Polygamous mating between males and females is largely random with no long-term pair bonding. The adult triggerfish guard the nest from potential predators , including divers , if they approach the nest too closely. Wrasses and red snappers have been observed taking eggs from the nests of gray triggerfish. The eggs that survive predation hatch within 48-55 hours. After hatching , the juveniles leave the nest and head to the surface of the water. At the surface, they often associate with sargassum communities. Sargassum is a floating seaweed usually found in clear blue water . Entire communities are closely associated with this sargassum, with the young triggerfish among the eight vertebrate species found there. The amount of sargassum varies greatly from year to year. High survival rates of young triggerfish are often correlated with high sargassum production . As the autumn months approach, the juvenile triggerfish leave the sargassum habitat for bottom reef habitats at lengths of 5-7 inches (12.7-17.8 cm).

Behavior

Predators : Tuna , dolphinfish, marlin, sailfish and sharks prey upon juvenile gray triggerfish while amberjack, grouper, and sharks are known to prey upon the adults .

Taxonomy

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Unambiguous Synonyms

  1. Balistes buniva Lacepde, 1803
  2. Balistes caprinus Valenciennes, 1839
  3. Balistes carolinensis Gmelin, 1789
  4. Balistes carolinensis Gronow, 1854
  5. Balistes forcipatus Gmelin, 1789
  6. Balistes fuliginosus Dekay, 1842
  7. Balistes moribundus Cope, 1871
  8. Balistes powellii Cope, 1870
  9. Balistes spilotopterygius Walbaum, 1792
  10. Balistes taeniopterus Poey, 1860
  11. Nematobalistes forcipatus (Gmelin, 1789)

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Family : Triggerfishes .

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Balistes

There are approximately 160 species in this genus. Here are just 100 of them:

B. aculeatus · B. aculeatus viridis · B. adspersus · B. amboinensis · B. americanus · B. angulosus · B. angusticauda · B. annularis · B. arcuatus · B. armatus · B. asperrimus · B. assasi · B. aurantiacus · B. aureolus · B. auromarginatus · B. azureus · B. balistes · B. barbatus · B. bellus · B. biaculeatus · B. bicolor · B. bipes · B. brasiliensis · B. brevissimus · B. broccus · Melichthys niger · B. bursa · B. calolepis · B. capistratus · B. capricus · B. caprinus · B. capriscus (Gray Triggerfish) · B. caprisus · B. carolinae · B. carolinensis · B. caroliniensis · B. chinensis · B. chrysopterus · B. chrysospilos · B. cicatricosus · B. ciliaris · B. ciliatus · B. cinereus · B. conspicillum · B. curassavicus · B. cuspicauda · B. punctatus · Rhinecanthus rectangulus · B. ellioti (Elliot's Filefish) · B. equestris · B. erythrodon · B. erythropteron · B. flavimarginatus · B. punctatus · B. frenatus · B. freycineti · B. fuliginosus · B. fuscatus · B. fuscolineatus · B. fuscus · B. geographicus · B. granulata · B. granulosus · B. guttatus · B. gutturosus · B. heckeli · B. heteracanthus · B. hihpe · B. hippocrepis · B. hispidus · B. hispidus longirostris (Beaked Leatherjacket) · B. jacksonianus · B. japonicus · B. kleinii · B. laevis · B. lamouroux · B. liberiensis · B. lima · B. lineatus · B. lineopunctatus · B. linguatula · B. longirostris · B. longissimus · B. longus · B. lunulatus · B. macrolepis · B. macrops · B. macropterus · B. maculatus · B. mauritianus · B. medinilla · B. melanopterus · B. mento · B. mitis · B. monoceros · B. monoceros unicolor · B. moribundus · B. naufragium · B. niger · B. nigra

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal December 12, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Lieske, E. and R. Myers (1994). Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 p. [back]
  2. Maigret, J. and B. Ly (1986). Les poissons de mer de Mauritanie. Science Nat., Compigne. 213 p. [back]
  3. Tortonese, E. (1986). Balistidae. p. 1335-1337. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol. III. [back]
  4. Mean = -646.420 meters (-2,120.801 feet), Standard Deviation = 1,294.630 based on 960 observations. Ocean depth information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 2009-06-17