Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula)

Scientific name: Balistes vetula Linnaeus, 1758

The Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a marine fish of the family Balistidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 28°C (82°F).

Queen triggerfish care at a glance

Temperature: 28°C (82°F)

Biology

Found over rocky or coral areas. May form schools, sometimes solitary over sand and grassy areas. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates. It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks it where the spines are short. Excellent food fish but occasionally can cause intoxication due to the liver.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Balistes vetula
Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 2–275 m (7–902 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 275 m, usually 3 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Ascension, Cape Verde, and Azores; ranges south to southern Angola. Western Atlantic: Canada to Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU) (A2d)
Threat to humans: Poisonous to eat
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.15-0.57)