Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Balistoides conspicillum
Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum Click to enlarge image
A Clown Triggerfish at a depth of 29 m, "Captains Table", Wreck Bay, far northern Great Barrier Reef. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Balistoides
    Species
    conspicillum
    Family
    Balistidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 50 cm in length.

It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and can be recognised by its colouration.

Identification

The Clown Triggerfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is black with yellow lips. The lower half of the head and body have large white spots.

Clown Triggerfish
A Clown Triggerfish at a depth of 20 m, Shark Reef, Coral Sea, November 1998. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Distribution

It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

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.

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. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  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.