Gray triggerfish

Photo Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles
Family Triggerfishes
Scientific Family Balistidae
Scientific Name Balistes capriscus
Spanish Name Cochino gris
ITIS# 173138
Tail shape Lunate

A small mouth and plate like scales. Three faint irregular broad dark bars on body; a narrow pale transverse band on chin; small light blue spots on upper half of body and median fins, and irregular short lines ventrally


Biology

Lives in bays, harbors, lagoons, and seaward reefs. May drift with young at surface among Sargassum (large brown seaweed). Usually solitary or in small groups. Feeds on bottom-living (benthic) invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans.

Appearance

Body Shape
Compressiform
Color
Main Color: Brown
Other Color: white
Common Body Shape
Flattened side to side


Pattern
None
Length
Avg Length: 17 inches (44 cm)
Max Length: 24 inches (60 cm)
Maximum Weight
13.5 lbs (6150 g)




Specifications

Handling Concerns
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Conservation Concerns
Declining
Range in USA
ME-TX


Abundance
Abundant


Other Species from same Family