Trigger Fish

The Trigger Fish gets it's name from the small fin on the top of its head.
The Trigger Fish can lock this fin into place with a "trigger" which then has to be released before the fin can be lowered. This means that the Trigger Fish can wedge itself into holes and prevent itself from being removed.
These fish mainly dine on crabs and shellfish and can grow up to 60cm. You're most likely to find them among reefs in the East Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Things to Do

Watch out for his "Trigger" in action
The females like to dig a hole and hide their eggs at the bottom of the sea, can you spot any here?
How many different colours can you see?
Got any specific questions you would like answering? Ask our Animal Care Team!

The 40 species of triggerfish are scattered throughout the world’s seas and are familiar to divers and aquarium aficionados.
Largest of all is the stone triggerfish, which reaches up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) long, found in the Eastern Pacific from Mexico to Chile.
Triggerfish are infamous for their nasty attitude and this behavior is especially evident around nests, where intruders, from other fish to human divers, are likely to be charged or bitten.

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