Gray Triggerfish 
Gray Triggerfish
Blistes capriscus
Average Weight/Length
Averages 1-3 pounds; may rarely top 10 pounds. World record 13 pounds, 9 ounces.
Family, Genus, Class & Etymology
| Family | Balistidae |
| Description | Triggerfishes |
| Environment | Marine |
| Etymology | Greek, balein = to throw ( |
| Genus | 12 |
| No. of Species | 42 |
| Order | Tetraodontiformes |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Reproductive Guild | Guarders |
| Distribution | Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Usually compressed body. Pelvic fins fused to one spine. First dorsal spine with locking mechanism. With 12 principal rays in caudal fin. 18 vertebrae. Upper jaw non-protrusible. Upper jaw usually with four teeth in outer and three in the inner series on each premaxillary. Capable of rotating eyeballs independently. Triggerfish normally swim by undulating their second dorsal and anal fins, but will use their tail for rapid bursts. Most triggerfishes are solitary diurnal carnivores, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates including hard-shelled mollusks and echinoderms; some also feed on algae or zooplankton. They lay demersal eggs in a nest which is aggressively guarded by the female, less often by the male. Popular and hardy in aquaria, but often aggressive |
Other "Popular" Names for this Fish
Common, Triggerfish, Common Turbot, Cucuyo
Location Habitat
Mostly found well offshore, but inhabits both inshore areas - patches, holes, bridge and dock pilings - and offshore reefs of South Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands. Inhabits bays, harbors, lagoons, and seaward reefs. May drift with young at surface among Sargassum. Usually solitary or in small groups. Feeds on benthic invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans. Oviparous
Biology & Physical Description
Uniform dark gray in color, sometimes with darker blotches on the sides, especially in smaller fish. Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Tall, with a small mouth and plate like scales. Three faint irregular broad dark bars on body; a narrow pale transverse band on chin; small light blue spots on upper half of body and median fins, and irregular short lines ventrally
Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)
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Summary of Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Mediterranean to Moçamedes, Angola. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia (Canada), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to Argentina |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
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Tackle & Baits
Spinning, baitcasting and light ocean tackle. Small hooks are essential. They bite shrimp and any sort of cut bait and also nip voraciously at artificial lures, especially plastics, although seldom getting hooked on them.
Game Rating
Game Rating : 7.5/10
Game Description :
The small mouth of the Triggerfish makes them difficult to hook, but once they are on a line they put up an outstanding fight against light tackle.
Food Rating
Game Rating : 9/10
Game Description :
Excellent. The flesh is of excellent quality. Consumed mostly fresh, smoked, and dried salted. Many consider Triggerfish fillets to be tastier fare than those from the Yellowtail and small Snapper that are often caught with them in mixed bags. They are, however, more difficult to clean because of their tough skins.
