Boomerang Triggerfish timidly hiding by a plate coral

Boomerang Triggerfish timidly hiding by a plate coral

Boomerang Triggerfish, its colours perfectly blending with the textures and colour of a short tentacle plate coral as it timidly attempts blend into the reef. Triggerfish derive their name from their dorsal spine which can be locked into a raised position by an additional, smaller dorsal spine. The raised spine is released by depressing the smaller (trigger) spine. The more aggressive Triggerfish use their raised spine as a warning for fish or other creatures invading their territory. Also, very cleverly, they use their spine to lock themselves into coral crevasses.

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Boomerang Triggerfish Facts
Other names: Scythe Triggerfish, Bursa Triggerfish, Sickle Picassofish, Scimitar Triggerfish
Scientific name: Sufflamen bursa
Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Max. size: 25 cm
Diet: Coral, algae, sea urchins, crabs, mollucs, small fish, sea squirts
Habitat: Clear waters of inner and outer reefs, reef flats rich in algae, reef drop-offs
Depth: 3 - 90 metres
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia, New Caledonia, and Rapa.