The Clown triggerfish is an
eye-catching marine species and the most popular trigger species. It is also
known as Clown Trigger, Big-spotted Triggerfish. It is found along the inner
and outer portions of a reef in the wild, wherever shellfish and other
invertebrates are found. The Scientific name of this beautiful sea creature is
Balistoides conspicillum. It is the only triggerfish that has been bred in home
aquariums. Maximum size of the fish can reach up to about 20 in / 50 cm in
length.
It has a brown body and the ventral
surface has large, white spots on a dark background, and its dorsal surface has
black spots on yellow. The mouth is surrounded by a yellow field whit a white
edge and may be used to deter potential predators. On its back the Clown
triggerfish has a yellow to gold colored field and there is a vertical, white
(slightly yellow) stripe on the caudal fin. The tailfin peduncle is sometimes,
but not always, of the same yellow/gold color.
It has a dramatic coloration, which
making this species a most sought after addition to the home aquarium. Among
the most colorful, the Clown Triggerfish is also one of the most aggressive
commonly kept inhabitants of an aquarium and it should never be kept with smaller
fish or invertebrates. The fish are not reef safe and should not be kept in
reef aquariums.
The Clown triggerfish originates
from the Indo-Pacific coastal waters from 1-75 meters in depth. This fish is
generally uncommon or rare throughout its range, which includes African east
coast down to Durban, South
Africa and eastwards to Samoa.
They can be found as far north as Southern Japan and as far south as New Caledonia.
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