Common name: bursa triggerfish

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Body compressed with protruding snout.  Brown to light blue in color with white coloration below lateral line.  Grayish brown dorsally.  Three rows of forward-curving spines posteriorly on side of body along and anterior to caudal peduncle with the upper row shorter than the lower.  Second dorsal fin and anal fin similar in shape.  Large elliptical black spot located ventrally and mostly anterior to anal fin.  Dorsal fin III (23-26), anal fin 0 (21-23), pectoral fin (13-14).  From Randall et al. (1996).

Similar species: Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) lacks dark elliptical body spot.

Native Range: Blackbelly triggerfish are distributed in the Indo-West Pacific from the Seychelles and Chagos islands to Vanuatu and south Japan to the Great Barrier Reef.  From Allen et al. (2003).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: The blackbelly triggerfish is frequently found in lagoons and shallow waters of reef flats among macroalgae, rubble and coral among seagrasses (Lieske and Myers 1994; Bean et al. 2002).  Juveniles frequents holes (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001).  Chen et al. (2001) reported that the species moves to the reef flat at high tide and returns to the sandy subtidal zone during low tide.  This movement occurred when water depth fell below 40–60 cm.  Adult blackbelly triggerfish are territorial, engaging in frequent agonistic behavior with other triggerfishes including Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Chen et al. 2001).

Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release.

Status: Reported in Florida.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

References: (click for full references)

Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach.  2003.  Reef Fish Identification.  Tropical Pacific.  New World Publications, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida and Odyssey Publications, El Cajon, California.

Bean, K, G. P. Jones and M. J. Caley.  2002.  Relationships among distribution, abundance and microhabitat specialization in a guild of coral reef triggerfish (family Balistidae).  Marine Ecology Progress Series 233: 263-272.

Chen, T., R. F. Ormond and H. Mok.  2001.  Feeding and territorial behaviour in juveniles of three coexisting triggerfishes.  Journal of Fish Biology 59: 524-532.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr. 1995. Marine fish introductions in southeastern Florida. Newsletter of the Introduced Fish Section, American Fisheries Society 14(1):2-3.

Kuiter, R. H. and T. Tonozuka.  2001.  Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 3. Jawfishes - Sunfishes, Opistognathidae - Molidae.  Zoonetics, Australia.

Lieske, E. and R. Myers.  1994.  Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers.

Randall, J. E., G. R. Allen and R. C. Steene.  1996.  Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.  Second Edition.  University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Other Resources:

Author: Morris, James A., Jr., and Pamela J. Schofield

Peer Review Date: 4/29/2009

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.