Queen Triggerfish
Balistes vetula
- Class
- Ray-finned fish
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 526
- Most observed in
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Conservation
- Near Threatened
Description
The queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a large triggerfish species found in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Its body coloration ranges from steel grey to olive green, but around the mouth are orange areas with striking electric blue rays. This species is commonly found in coral reefs or rocky bottoms of the sea. Its diet is mainly composed of shelled invertebrates like crabs and sea urchins. When breeding, the queen triggerfish dig a sandpit with its fin to lay eggs and fiercely defend eggs. This species is an important food fish among Caribbean communities, often harvested by hook-and-lines or fish traps.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Balistes vetula”.