Grey Triggerfish - Balistes capriscus - Close Underwater Portrait

A close underwater portrait of a Grey Triggerfish, showing its powerful head, pale lips and distinctive rough-scaled body.

The Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) has a deep, oval body that is strongly compressed from side to side and covered with tough, plate-like scales. Its small mouth is equipped with strong incisors adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey, while the first dorsal spine can be locked upright and released by the smaller second spine, giving triggerfish their name. Colour varies from grey and brownish-green to bluish tones, often with faint bars, mottling or pale markings. The species is commonly associated with rocky bottoms, reefs, harbours and other hard-bottom habitats and can reach about 66 centimetres in total length.