Latin name

Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus

Other name

Pineapple trigger, yellowface triggerfish or yellow-face triggerfish.

Identification

The scales of the Yellowmargin Triggerfish are relatively large, with no scales on the cheeks. The mouth of these fish is small but powerful, with strong incisors for breaking molluscs and shells.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 22 - 25.

The first dorsal fin, formed by three barbed rays, which the fish can block in an upright position for defence. The pelvic fins are reduced to a bulge. The caudal fins are rounded in juveniles and become more truncated with elongated lobes in adults.

Fish colouring

The species name flavimarginatus in Latin means 'with a yellow edge', referring to the colour of the fish. In general, the colouration of these fish is pale. Young fish have a yellow belly with black or blue spots and a white back with black stripes. They then become greenish with black spots. Adults develop a spectacular yellow-orange border along the edge of the fins, while the spots disappear and the scales grow back to form the correct relief.

Distribution

Lives in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific from the coast of East Africa to South Africa, Japan, Samoa and the Tuamotu Islands.

Habitat

A tropical marine species that prefers brackish water. Their depth range is from 2 to 80 metres. They prefer lagoons, reef channels and terraces.

Size

Yellowmargin triggerfish grow to a length of 60 centimetres.

Behavior

These fish typically inhabit coastal and inland reefs and estuaries, often in muddy habitats. They can be found on slopes, lagoon bottoms and coral reefs. Usually solitary or in pairs. Juveniles form small schools, while adults are usually solitary, except when nesting, and males congregate on certain sandbars adjacent to reefs.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on the tops of branching madrepore corals, which they bite off with their powerful jaws, molluscs, crustaceans, foraminifera, clams and sea urchins.

Reproduction

Yellowmargin triggerfish spawn throughout the year, more frequently between November and December or March and May. They build large burrows of sand or coral rubble on the seabed, up to 2m in diameter and 70cm deep. A few days before the full or half moon, the female lays about 400,000 to 500,000 eggs. A fist-sized ball of eggs is covered with coral branches by the parents. The females guard the nest until the larvae hatch.

Fishing

This species is commercially important for fishing. Fished with nets. Sold fresh and dried salted.

Relationship with a person

Reports of ciguatera poisoning.