Marshall Islands Triggerfish (Balistidae)

There are about 14 species of triggerfish (family Balistidae) that divers are likely to see on the reefs around Kwajalein. As adults, all are medium-sized to large fish with small mouths but strong jaws capable of breaking coral or crushing shells. Most seem to eat benthic invertebrates, but a few subsist at least partially from plankton. Most species will dive into holes in the reef when threatened, erecting a stout, thick dorsal spine to wedge themselves in. They also tend to have thick, tough skin that probably helps protect them from getting scratched up when they dive into holes and may even deter predation in some cases. Unless otherwise noted, sizes given are maximum sizes for the species listed in Fishbase, not necessarily the size of the figured specimen.


Balistapus undulatus


Balistoides conspicillum

Balistoides viridescens

Balistoides viridescens juvenile

Melichthys niger

Melichthys vidua

Odonus niger

Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus

Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus juvenile

Pseudobalistes fuscus

Pseudobalistes fuscus juvenile

Rhinecanthus aculeatus

Rhinecanthus rectangulus

Sufflamen bursa

Sufflamen chrysopterum

Sufflamen chrysopterum young

Sufflamen chrysopterum juvenile?

Sufflamen fraenatum

Sufflamen fraenatum
juvenile

Xanthichthys auromarginatus

Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus

One epipelagic species has been reported from the Marshalls, but we have not seen it (link to Fishbase):

Canthidermis maculatus

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