Pseudobalistes fuscus is the third large species of triggerfish at Kwajalein. It lives on both lagoon and seaward reefs and is similar in behavior to the other two large triggers, Balistoides viridescens and Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus. It often feeds by digging in the sand and forms nests in smal hollows in sand or rubble, which it aggressively defends against intruders.
Nestled into the reef to sleep at night.
Like the other large triggers, these often dig in the sand for prey, often mollusks, worms and crustaceans.
Juveniles are colorful but shy. They generally dive into holes when approached. Apparently, the only place this one had to hide was among branches of coral, so he was at least visible.
This even smaller juvenile was in a lagoon algae patch on 3 September 2012.
Created 21 May 2012
Updated 13 October 2012