Stats

Lifespan

10-16 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Coral reef

Range

Indo-Pacific

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Spines

Status

Uncommon

About

This large triggerfish inhabits tropical lagoons and coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific. It uses its powerful teeth to crush sea urchins and can lock its dorsal spine upright to wedge itself into crevices.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling fry

   A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Actinopterygii

Order

Tetraodontiformes

Family

Balistidae

Genus

Balistoides

Species

Balistoides viridescens