Titan Triggerfish
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Titan Triggerfish | image = Titan_triggerfish.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Actinopterygii | ordo = Tetraodontiformes | familia = Balistidae | genus = Balistoides | species = B. viridescens | binomial = Balistoides viridescens | binomial_authority = (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) }}
The Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) is the largest of the Triggerfish species and can grow up to 75 cm in length. Their range includes reef areas in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Fiji, Thailand, Indonesia and the Maldives. The fish is not a pelagic species and generally lives in the flat areas of the reef.
Characteristics
Image:Titan Triggerfish2.jpgTitan triggerfish feed on shellfish, urchins, crustaceans and coral. They are the workers of the reef, often being busy turning over rocks, stirring up the sand and biting off pieces of branching coral. This is why one often sees other smaller fish species around it who feed from the left overs.
Interaction with humans
The fish can be very aggressive towards divers and snorkellers. Especially during reproduction season it is very territorial and will guard its nest, which it lays in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. Due to its size and strong teeth it can inflict serious injury. Bites may also be ciguatoxicTemplate:Citation needed.