Clown Triggerfish

 

Clown Triggerfish | The Clown triggerfish is triggerfish from the order Tetraodontiformes. This reef-associated fish is commonly found in the tropical Indo-Pacific. Clown triggerfish are one of the most colorful fish meet in diving and a great opportunity for pictures. Unfortunately they are rather shy and camera are very good at turning their back or move away, just as you are about the shutter press. It's worth persevering but their color and pattern possible marks really show how creative nature can be. These marine animals are very aptly named the "clowns" of the triggerfish family.

 

Scientific classification

Kingdom:     Animalia
Phylum:     Chordata
Class:     Actinopterygii
Order:     Tetraodontiformes
Family:     Balistidae
Genus:     Balistoides
Species:     B. conspicillum

Clown triggerfish has fantastic color, making it instantly recognizable as the kind seen. The lower half of the body is dark with large white spots in the top half, under and around the dorsal fin, which is yellow with small black freckles. The eyes are generally masked with a white or yellow stripe crossing the snout. The mouth of the Clown triggerfish is bright yellow with a white line behind it. Juvenile clown triggerfish have white spots on the upper half of the body and the lower, but they disappear as they mature. But unlike adults, young people are rarely seen because of their cryptic habit of hiding in caves and crevices on the reef, so catching sight of a young person is a happy event.

The Clown triggerfish is found along the inner and outer parts of a reef in the wild, where shellfish and other aquatic animals are found. One of the most colorful, the Clown triggerfish is also one of the most aggressive commonly kept inhabitants of an aquarium. Caution should be exercised in the choice of tank mates, choosing other aggressive, big fish. The tank decor should also be chosen based on the tendency of the Clown triggerfish to rearrange.

This colorful fish hide in crevices and in danger, although not normally shy of the divers, they will retreat if you get too close. They are usually alone and occasionally seen in pairs, and are rare throughout their range. Because of its attractive color, Clown triggerfish is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Like many other triggerfish, it may require a large aquarium and be aggressive to other fish. It should not be kept with small fish. It will also prey on invertebrates in the aquarium. These fish can be tame enough to be hand fed, but one must beware of sharp teeth of the fish.

Like most other fish on the reef, Clown triggerfish should be alert for large marine life higher up the food chain, such as jacks and tuna. They inhabit the inner and outer parts of a reef, where shellfish and other invertebrates are found in depths ranging from shallow water down to 75 meters. They are usually seen swimming openly near steep drop-offs, although occasionally you see them in the shallower parts of the reefs.