Animal Species:Orangestripe Triggerfish, Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797)

The Orangestripe Triggerfish is dark green, brown or greyish with diagonal orange to yellow lines on the body. There is a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle.  The species occurs near coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Orangestripe Triggerfish at 'Steve's Bommie'

Orangestripe Triggerfish at 'Steve's Bommie'
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Orange-lined Triggerfish, Orangestriped Triggerfish, Red-lined Trigger-fish, Red-lined Triggerfish, Striped Trigger-fish, Striped Triggerfish, Vermiculated Triggerfish

Identification

The Orangestripe Triggerfish can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It is dark green, brown or greyish with diagonal orange to yellow lines on the body. There is a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle.

Size range

The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Distribution

The Orangestripe Triggerfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Balistapus undulatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Orangestripe Triggerfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is found on coral reefs.

Feeding and Diet

It eats a wide range of food items. This includes live coral, algae, sea urchins, crabs, molluscs and other invertebrate groups as well a fishes and tunicates.

Classification

Species:
undulatus
Genus:
Balistapus
Family:
Balistidae
Order:
Tetraodontiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Orange-lined Triggerfish, Balistapus undulatus, Balistidae, green, blue, yellow, orange, deep-bodied, 10 cm - 30 cm, stripes or bands, coral reef, marine, adult,