Home · Balistidae · Blue-throat trigger
Blue-throat trigger (Xanthichthys mento) — Balistidae

Blue-throat trigger

Xanthichthys mento
Family: Balistidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-throat trigger (Xanthichthys mento) is a saltwater fish of the family Balistidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–130.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The crosshatch triggerfish is a triggerfish (Balistidae) from the Pacific Ocean. The species has an oval, blue-grey body with a fine crosshatch pattern of narrow lines and yellow tints on the fins; males are more brightly coloured. It occurs mainly around oceanic islands and reefs along continental coasts, often in small groups high in the water. It feeds on zooplankton from the water column. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-throat trigger?

The Blue-throat trigger has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Blue-throat trigger live?

The Blue-throat trigger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blue-throat trigger get?

The Blue-throat trigger grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blue-throat trigger dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-throat trigger is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-throat trigger edible?

The Blue-throat trigger is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruitjes-trekkervis sourced
English name
Blue-throat trigger verified
Scientific name
Xanthichthys mento
Family
Balistidae
Other names
Crosshatch triggerfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
130.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Xanthichthys

More from the family Balistidae

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