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Titan triggerfish
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== Interaction with humans == [[File:Titan Triggerfish imported from iNaturalist photo 14463626 on 2 November 2024.jpg|thumb|Speared in [[French Polynesia]]]] Though titan triggerfish are usually wary of divers and snorkelers, females can be territorial and aggressive around their nests during the reproduction season, which occurs for about a week in each month (either after the full moon or new moon, depending on the population).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Donaldson |first1=T.J. |last2=Dimalanta |first2=A.G. |title=Spatial Distribution and Characterization of the Triggerfish Balistoides viridescens (Balistidae) on a Spawning Aggregation Site at Guam, Mariana Islands |journal=Proceedings of the 64th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute |date=2011 |hdl=1834/36169 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/1834/36169}}</ref> The nest is placed in a flat sandy area, and is defended vigorously against any intruders. The territory around the nest is roughly cone-shaped and divers who accidentally enter it may be attacked. Divers should swim horizontally away from the nest rather than upwards which would only take them further into the territory.<ref name=Randall>{{cite book |last= Randall |first= J. E. |date= 2005 |title= Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific |url= |location= |publisher= University of Hawai'i Press |isbn=0-8248-2698-1 }}{{page needed|date=April 2022}}</ref><ref name=Millington>{{cite journal |last1=Randall |first1=J. E. |last2=Millington |first2=J. T. |title=Triggerfish bite β a little-known marine hazard |journal=Journal of Wilderness Medicine |date=1 May 1990 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=79β85 |doi=10.1580/0953-9859-1.2.79 }}</ref> Although bites are not venomous<!--beware: One webpage mistakenly confused its non-venomous bite and its sometimes ciguatoxic flesh-->, the strong teeth can inflict serious injury that may require medical attention.<ref name=Randall/><ref name=Millington/><ref name=Lieske>Lieske, E., & R. Myers (1999). ''Coral Reef Fishes.'' 2nd edition. Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|0-691-00481-1}}{{page needed|date=April 2022}}</ref><ref name=Debelius>Debelius, H. (1993). ''Indian Ocean Tropical Fish Guide.'' Aquaprint Verlags GmbH. {{ISBN|3-927991-01-5}}{{page needed|date=April 2022}}</ref> The threat posture includes the triggerfish facing the intruder while holding its first dorsal spine erect.<ref name=Randall/> It may also roll onto its side, allowing it a better look at the intruder it perceives as threatening its nest. The titan triggerfish will not always bite, but can swim at snorkellers and divers escorting them out of their territory. The flesh of the titan triggerfish is sometimes [[Ciguatera|ciguatoxic]].<ref name=Randall/><ref name=Lieske/>
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