The Titan Triggerfish

(Balistoides viridescens)
Presented by Devin Curtis
Triggerfish In General
Triggerfish are roughly 40 species of brightly
colored fish in the family Balistidae.
The Titan Triggerfish
The Titan can grow up to a length
of 75 centimeters (30 in), the
largest of their family! Hence the
name Titan.
Teeth
Titan Triggerfish have huge teeth, visible
in many of if not all species in the
Triggerfish family.
Discovery
Marcus Elieser Bloch was a german physician and is credited with
the discovery of the Titan Triggerfish.

He made significant contributions to ichthyology through his work on

a multi volume catalog illustrating fish from around the world.
Titan Triggerfish Taxonomy
Domain: Eukarya
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Balistoides
Species: B. viridescens
The Evolution
Here is a Triggerfish fossil
Geographic Distribution
They have been found all over the
world, specifically in parts of the
Red Sea, Japan, East Africa, and
Northern Australia!
Ocean Zone
Triggerfish generally dwell in tropical reef areas
Feeding Here we can see a Titan Triggerfish feeding on a
“Crown of Thorns” Starfish

The Titan Triggerfish’ diet mainly consists

of easier to find creatures like sea urchins,
molluscs, crustaceans, worms, eels, and
coral.
Reproduction
Here is a juvenile Titan Triggerfish, approx 5cm long
Titan triggerfish reproduce by a female
laying eggs in a nest which are then
fertilized by a male.
Development
Here is a female Titan Triggerfish blowing
During the nesting period, the female water to oxygenate her eggs
Titan Triggerfish builds a nest in a sandy
area or over coral rubble in order to lay
her eggs.
Interactions with other species Here I have found a short clip of a
Titan Triggerfish attacking a diver

The Titan Triggerfish does not make an easy meal.

This is because of their volatile temperament and
defensive nature. Their natural predators primarily
include sharks.
Interesting Fact
The Titan Triggerfish has been known to pick fights with other creatures up to ten
times their own size!
Conservation
Least concern status

The Titan Triggerfish is a thriving

species of fish.

Simply put… built different

Questions?
References
https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Balistoides-viridescens.html

https://www.aquamaps.org/receive.php?type_of_map=regular

https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/backgrounders/ocean-zones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_triggerfish

https://biologydictionary.net/triggerfish/

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/titan-triggerfish-balistoides-viridescens-bloch-schneider-1801/#:~:text=The%20Titan%20Triggerfish%20is%20the,to%2075%20cm%20in
%20length.

https://scubadiverlife.com/marine-species-titan-triggerfish/

https://www.scubadivingearth.com/titan-triggerfish-breeding-season-scuba-diving-story-red-sea/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMjnntkSByg

https://www.dive-the-world.com/creatures-titan-triggerfish.php