What Is a Titan Trigger Fish?

Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) are family Balistidae creatures that are also commonly referred to by a variety of different monikers: giant triggerfish, black-lipped triggerfish, mustache triggerfish and dotty triggerfish. Titan triggerfish have the distinction of being the biggest triggerfish of them all.

  1. Physical Appearance

    • Titan triggerfish can attain a maximum of 30 inches in length. One of their handles, mustache triggerfish, is a tribute to a streak that appears directly over their mouths. Their physiques are adorned with noticeable scales, which are lighter on the sides and deeper in color in the middle. Their overall coloration is a combination of yellow and black. Titan triggerfish possess big, sturdy teeth.

    Habitat

    • Out in their wild haunting grounds, titan triggerfish are found everywhere from the Pacific Ocean's southwestern portion to the Red Sea of western Asia and northern Africa. They live in tropical reefs and lagoons. Fully mature titan triggerfish are seen either on their own or in duos.

    Temperament

    • Titan triggerfish are known for having fierce dispositions. They are extremely cautious by nature, especially when rearing their youngsters. If divers get anywhere near their offspring, they often do not hesitate to make their unhappiness known -- usually by sharp and painful biting. If an individual ever experiences a bite from a titan triggerfish, urgent medical care is a must.

    Reproduction

    • In times of breeding, these oviparous fish carve out nests amidst coral debris. After the mothers deposit the eggs, they, with a lot of help from the fathers, vigilantly look over them, never straying far, until hatching.

    Diet

    • The basic diet of titan triggerfish in nature consists heavily of crustaceans -- think crabs. They also consume a lot of sea urchins, for which they employ their chompers to great advantage. They focus on biting sea urchins on their lower portions, where they are considerably less prickly. Mollusks, tube worms, tiny fishes and coral are all also typical menu items for the species. In captivity, titan triggerfish require similarly meaty sustenance. Diced seafood is a strong option, whether shrimp, clams or squid.

    Tank Mates

    • Finding suitable tank mates for titan triggerfish in aquariums is no easy task. After all, these guys have some seriously ferocious potential. However, they may work fine, in some cases, with other triggerfish that every bit as intimidating as they are, such as the queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula).