Sealife guideThe Tetraodontiformes orderThe taxonomy of marine species

Explore the taxonomy of the sea vertebrates including the cetaceans like the whales or the dolphins, the sea birds, the fish, the sharks and the sea turtles !
The family Balistidae includes marine fish known as triggerfish, found mainly in tropical and subtropical seas. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies, prominent snouts and, above all, their remarkable defense system: a dorsal spine they can lock in place like a trigger to wedge themselves firmly into rock crevices. Their powerful jaws, equipped with robust teeth, allow them to crush the shells of mollusks, sea urchins and the carapaces of crustaceans. Triggerfish are also intriguing for their behavior—sometimes curious toward divers, yet highly territorial, especially during the breeding season. With their stocky bodies and often striking color patterns combining lines, spots and vivid contrasts, they are among the most emblematic and recognizable species of tropical reefs.
Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger)
Black triggerfish
(Melichthys niger)
Blue throated triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Ocean triggerfish (Canthidermis sufflamen)
Ocean triggerfish
(Canthidermis sufflamen)
Orange striped triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus)
Orange striped triggerfish
(Balistapus undulatus)
Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
Picasso triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
Pinktail triggerfish (Melichthys vidua)
Pinktail triggerfish
(Melichthys vidua)
Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula)
Queen triggerfish
(Balistes vetula)
Redtooth triggerfish (Odonus niger)
Redtooth triggerfish
(Odonus niger)
Sargassum triggerfish (Xanthichthys ringens)
Sargassum triggerfish
(Xanthichthys ringens)
Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens)
Titan triggerfish
(Balistoides viridescens)
Turbot (Balistes capriscus)
Turbot
(Balistes capriscus)
Wedgetail triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
Wedgetail triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
Yellow-spotted triggerfish (Pseudobalistes fuscus)
Yellow-spotted triggerfish
(Pseudobalistes fuscus)
Yellowmargin triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)
Yellowmargin triggerfish
(Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus)
Longspined porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus)
Longspined porcupinefish
(Diodon holocanthus)
Bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini)
Bump-head sunfish
(Mola alexandrini)

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The bump-head sunfish
Friday, September 5th 2025
The bump-head sunfish
Learn about the bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini), the world's heaviest bony fish, its habitat in tropical and temperate oceans, diet of jellyfish, deep-water behavior and record size over 6,000 lbs.
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
Wednesday, September 3rd 2025
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The chocolate chip sea cucumber has a massive cylindrical body that is beige in color, covered with a set of dark brown pustules resembling chocolate chips that protrude slightly from the surface, giving it a resemblance to a cookie, hence its french name. It can reach a length of about 12 inches when fully grown.
The red hind grouper
Monday, September 1st 2025
The red hind grouper
The red hind grouper has a distinctive appearance, usually beige to brown in color, with numerous red or brown spots covering its entire body and the base of its fins. It is often found in the shallow waters of coral reefs and rocky areas, where it hides in crevices and cavities.
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Mérou croissant de lune (Variola louti)
Mérou croissant de lune
(Variola louti)