Editing Titan triggerfish

{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Titan triggerfish
| image = Titan Triggerfish imported from iNaturalist photo 324702096 on 3 November 2024 (edit).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Balistoides viridescens'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Matsuura, K.|year=2022 |page=e.T193639A2251503 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T193639A2251503.en|access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>
| taxon = Balistoides viridescens
| authority = ([[Marcus Elieser Bloch|Bloch]] & [[Johann Gottlob Schneider|J. G. Schneider]], 1801)
}}

The '''titan triggerfish''', '''giant triggerfish''' or '''moustache triggerfish''' ('''''Balistoides viridescens''''') is a large [[species]] of [[triggerfish]] found in [[lagoon]]s and at [[coral reef|reefs]] to depths of {{convert|50|m|abbr=on}} in most of the [[Indo-Pacific]], though it is absent from [[Hawaii]]. With a length of up to {{convert|75|cm|in}},<ref name=FishBase>{{FishBase|genus=Balistoides|species=viridescens |year=2010|month=1}}</ref> it is the largest species of triggerfish in its range (the [[stone triggerfish]], ''Pseudobalistes naufragium'', from the east [[Pacific]] is larger).<ref>{{FishBase|genus=Pseudobalistes|species=naufragium|year=2010|month=1}}</ref>

== Behavior ==
[[image:Titan Triggerfish.jpg|thumb|With [[orange-lined triggerfish]] and [[moorish idol]]s, in the [[Maldives]].|left]]
The titan triggerfish is [[Diurnality|diurnal]] and solitary. It feeds on [[sea urchin]]s, [[mollusc]]s, [[crustacean]]s, [[tube worm]]s and [[coral]].<ref name=FishBase/> 

It often feeds by turning over rocks, stirring up sand and biting off pieces of branching coral. This is why other smaller fish species are often seen around it, as they feed on the detritus and smaller organisms that are stirred up. Titan triggerfish are one of a number of species of fish which can hunt and eat the [[crown-of-thorns starfish]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-10 |title=Crown Of Thorns Starfish Attacks. {{!}} Scuba Diver Mag |url=https://www.scubadivermag.com/crown-of-thorns-starfish-attacks/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Titan triggerfish have been observed being aggressive to other fish who enter their territory.

== 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 – a little-known marine hazard |journal=Journal of Wilderness Medicine |date=1 May 1990 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=79–85 |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/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:Titan Triggerfish imported from iNaturalist photo 261420765 on 3 November 2024.jpg|Maldives
File:Pez ballesta titán (Balistoides viridescens), parque nacional Ras Muhammad, Egipto, 2022-03-28, DD 35.jpg|Red Sea
File:Drückerfisch. Giant Titan Triggerfish. Balistoides viridescens DSCF0329WI.jpg|Red Sea, with extended dorsal spine
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{ITIS |id=173224 |taxon=Balistoides viridescens |access-date=24 January 2006}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Balistoides viridescens}}
* {{SealifePhotos|219875}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1508315}}

[[Category:Balistidae]]
[[Category:Fish of Palau]]
[[Category:Fish of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1801]]