Any of about 30 species (family Balistidae) of shallow-water marine fishes, found worldwide in tropical seas.
Triggerfishes are deep-bodied, usually colourful fishes with large scales, high-set eyes, and three dorsal-fin spines, which they use for protection. When a triggerfish is threatened, it darts into a coral crevice and erects its large and strong first spine, which it locks in place with the second (the "trigger"); when the trigger is later withdrawn, the first snaps back down. Though generally considered edible, some cause food poisoning. The largest grow 2 ft (60 cm) long.
Triggerfish ( Balistes conspicillus ).
Douglas Faulkner