![]() ![]() “Both species live on ocean hard bottoms, reefs and ledges, on shipwrecks, nearshore, and offshore locations, either alone or in small groups, or schools,” said McLean Seward, fisheries biologist with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.īoth triggerfish species have various nicknames depending upon where they are caught, including taly, leatherjacket, leatherneck, or just plain triggerfish. In North Carolina, the state records are 11 pounds 6 ounces for a gray triggerfish caught off the coast of Morehead City in 1992, and 10 pounds 11 ounces for a queen triggerfish caught in 2012 off Jacksonville. Queen triggerfish are the second member of this group caught off the North Carolina coast, but are less frequently encountered by fisherman. They live in depths between 7 and 92 feet in the Caribbean, Bahamas, the Atlantic from Canada to Florida, Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico, but are more typically caught at depths between 10 and 98 feet. Gray triggerfish are the primary members of this species found in North Carolina waters. They range in the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Argentina. A second population can also be found in the Gulf of Mexico. Flapping them in the “breeze,” they are able to hover in one position. They can also lock themselves in a reef crevice for protection by erecting these same fins and wedging themselves in place. Once the fish release this defense mechanism, they are nearly impossible to get free - also posing a challenge for fishermen once hooked. These animals swim by moving their top fin and bottom fins. One of the strangest looking and trickiest to catch saltwater fish in North Carolina waters is the triggerfish. Balistes vetula (Queen Triggerfish) – The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobagoģ.Gray triggerfish. ![]() It would be a shame to lose these beautiful fish from our reefs.Ģ. ![]() Being harvested for medicinal purposes and the aquarium industry has meant that their populations have been decreasing. Queen triggerfish parents defend their nest fiercely, so don’t get too close if you don’t want to get bitten! Photo Credit: crystaltmcĪccording to the IUCN, the queen triggerfish is considered a vulnerable species. They make their nests by blowing water into the sand to create the bowl shape. Photo Credit: Kevin BryantĪ queen triggerfish nest looks like a bowl dug into the sand on the seafloor. The scales, liver and skin can all be prepared in different ways to create medicines that are used to treat illnesses such as earaches, asthma and more. In some parts of Brazil, it is believed that the queen triggerfish have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicines. #7: Queen triggerfish contribute to medicine! Humans also eat triggerfish! Photo Credit: Ken Desloover Common predators include larger reef fish, like groupers, jacks and sharks. Though the queen triggerfish is one of the larger reef fish, they still have predators. #6: What are the predators of the queen triggerfish? These fish also sleep in the crevices to ensure they are protected at night. Once securely in a crevice, they lock their dorsal fin in place, so they can’t easily be pulled out by a predator. When a queen triggerfish feels threatened, it will retreat and hide in crevices. They use a special membrane behind their pectoral fins to create a throbbing sound. Queen triggerfish have the ability to send an audible warning to other fish. #4: What does the queen triggerfish do to warn off others? These movements are strong enough to overturn sea urchins, exposing their soft undersides and making them easier to eat. One technique the queen triggerfish uses to catch prey is creating water movement with its fins. #3: The queen triggerfish isn’t just a pretty face, though we think that too. They use these larger teeth to break into and eat hard-shelled prey. The queen triggerfish have noticeably large teeth at the front on their mouth. #2: Those large teeth are key for the queen triggerfish. ![]() Queen triggerfish are a species of fish that can be found in schools, but they’re also very happy as a solitary fish. #1: Queen triggerfish don’t always need company. However, if you see one, don’t get too close as they can be territorial and are known to give a nasty bite.ĭive into more fun facts about the queen triggerfish below. They have two very distinct blue bands that run across their snouts, which make them identifiable from other triggerfish. The queen triggerfish ( Balistes vetula) is a species of triggerfish that is commonly seen on rocky sea floors or coral reefs in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. ![]()
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