Ray-finned fishes (Lat. Actinopterygii)

Puffers and filefishes (Lat. Tetraodontiformes)

Triggerfishes (Lat. Balistidae)

30 cm TL

Reef-associated; depth range 0–50 m.

Tropical; 30°N–30°S

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to South Africa and east to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to South Africa.

Commonly found in subtidal reef flats and shallow protected lagoons. Benthopelagic. Juveniles secretive with rubble patches, adults swim about openly but are usually shy. Territorial. Feed on algae, detritus, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, sea urchins, fishes, corals, tunicates, forams, and eggs. Oviparous. Sleep on its side; makes a whirring noise when alarmed. Also caught with drive-in nets and is considered a popular aquarium fish.