Marine Life

Titan triggerfish

Maarondu

Balistoides viridescens

The Balistoides viridescens is fairly common in the Maldives, ranging from lagoons to deep reef slopes, and they lay their eggs in nests on sandy or rubble patches on the slope which are then protected by the adults with great ferocity, even driving away any intruders including divers.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 75 cm
color: Yellowish, the scale centers dark brown to dark olive, abruptly whitish posteriorly. A wedge- shaped blackish bar from top of head to gill opening, enclosing eye. A broad blackish streak on upper lip crossed by two narrow pale blue bands.
order: Tetraodontiformes
family: Balistidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/balistoides-viridescens.png
habitat and biology: This species is commonly found in a variety of habitats, primarily on the slopes of reefs. It feeds on a broad selection of benthic invertebrates, such as sea urchins, corals, and mollusks.
distinctive characters: The fish has a dorsal fin with three spines and 24-26 rays, an anal fin with 23-24 rays, pectoral rays of 14-15, a deep groove before the eye, four or five rows of small spines posteriorly on the sides of its body, a second dorsal and anal fin slightly elevated anteriorly, and a caudal fin that is rounded to double emarginate.