Species encyclopedia

Clown Triggerfish

Balistoides conspicillum

Biology

Triggerfish are covered entirely with thick, bony scales that look a little like armour. They are called triggerfish because of the locking system that holds their dorsal spine in a raised position, allowing them to anchor themselves in narrow crevasses from which they cannot be moved.

The clown triggerfish feeds on crustaceans, urchins and molluscs that it grinds using its large, sturdy teeth. The young of this species live nearby caves where they can take shelter, while the adults live in the open sea, above the outer slope of a reef.

The very pronounced markings on its livery earned it the name of 'clown' triggerfish and serve to blur the outlines of its silhouette. This makes it difficult for predators to locate.

Indo-Pacific area

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