Triggerfish

Triggerfish
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Notes

Triggerfish are very interesting fish - which are named after a retractable dorsal fin which can be triggered to lock into place, which is used by the Triggerfish to hold itself in a crevice for defence. They vary from 25 cm to over 75 cm, and are very skittish fish. On Bi-ya-doo the lined Triggerfish could be seen less than half a metre from the waterline.

Comments on images (numbered from top left to bottom right):

1/ A Clown Triggerfish - one of the most dramatically patterned of fish. They are around 30 cm long, and tend to favour deeper water on the reef slopes - hence are difficult to photograph when snorkelling.
2/ A Lined Triggerfish. This one is a male, as it has markings above the mouth.
3/ Picasso Triggerfish, which is a very skittish fish in the lagoons. This one chased me around, attempting to nip me (obviously didn't like having its picture taken!).
4/ A Titan Triggerfish - the meanest and biggest (75 cm)! These can attack divers and snorkellers when spawning (which is whilst we were there), and ram with you with their heads at speed (and bite with their three teeth). Fortunately I did not know this at the time I took this picture, Later, this is the one fish we kept an eye out for while snorkelling (never mind the sharks - this is the beast you want to avoid) - and Michelle tested out the speed of her fins whenever we came across one!
5/ A Titan Triggerfish swimming away (thankfully!).

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