Queen triggerfish
Balistes vetula
Linnaeus, 1758
Description:
Body oval in shape, with large rear dorsal and anal fins. Tips of rear dorsal and tail fins streaming. Body greenish or bluish gray on the back, orange-yellow on the lower part of the head and the abdomen. Two bright blue, diagonal curved, bands run from the snout to below and in front of the pectoral fin, the lowermost continuous with a blue ring around the lips. A broad blue bar across the base of the tail, and blue submarginal bands in median fins. Small lines radiate from around the eyes. The eyes can move independently from each other.
Size up to 60 cm.
Juveniles silver to gray with yellowish tints. Rows of small spots form diagonal lines on the back.
Habitat:
Found over rocky or coral areas (B. vetula), down to 15 m, solitary or in schools. It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks the area with short spines.
Triggerfish are able to erect the first spine of the front dorsal fin; the second spine is used to lock the first one in an upright position. They put up the first spine while, in case of danger, they have to fled into a case. With the first spine erect, they are difficult to remove from their shelterhole.
Distribution:
Common to occasional Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.