| Balistidae (Triggerfishes) |
| 25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 80 m |
| Western Atlantic: from South Carolina (USA), through Gulf of Mexico to Lesser Antilles. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal soft rays: 23-27. Three prominent diagonal grooves running from below and behind mouth nearly to gill opening; light brownish gray with rows of dark brown spots on body; grooves on head dark brown; caudal fin pale with orange-red upper and lower borders and a large orange-red crescent posteriorly (Ref. 13442). |
| Inhabits seaward reef slopes, usually well below 30 m, where in some places they are among the most common fish. Young live among floating Sargassum. Solitary or in small groups. Feeds on crabs and sea urchins. Spawns in deep water (Ref. 9710). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
