Joydeep Sarkar
( Oxymonacanthus longirostris )
You can find them in coral rich areas and protected lagoons at depths between 5-30m.
Growing up to a maximun size of 12 cm, these species are pale blue in colour with about eight horizontal rows of orange yellow patches or spots on the sides of their body. On their tail, they have a black blotch that is easily identifiable. Their body shape allows them to hide amongst coral branches while also having the ability to mask their smell to that of the coral itself making them undetected by predators.
They feed exclusively on corals, mostly the Acropora corals. It is from here, where they absorb the smell that cloaks them from predators.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Aluterus scriptus )
Inhabit coral and rocky reefs at at quite a distance from the shore. You can spot them at a ma depth of 30 m.
These filefish can grow up to about 110 cm in length, they are ovular in shape but a bit stretched out. Their body is a greenish-brown colour and might also appear grey with blue lines and spots. Their colour though, depends on the surrounding environment as like octupuses they are able to adapt their colour to fit in.
They are omnivores and have a widely spread diet which include small crustaceans, algae, corals and tunicates.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Melichthys indicus )
Found at depths between 1-30 m in rich coral areas, mostly spotted near reef slopes. You are likely to spot them alone, digging holes below the bases or coral for shelter.
The indian triggerfish has an oval-shaped dark brownish to black body with whitish blue striped along the base of the fins on top of the body and the fins at the bottom. Additionally, they have a white margin around their tail as well. You are also able to see an irregular shaped bluish-white stripe on the cheek. This species can grow up to about 25 cm long.
Their diet consists of feeding on algae, molluscs, starfish while sometimes they feed on algae and planktonic matter as well.
Vardhan Patankar
( Sufflamen bursa )
You are likely to spot this species of triggerfish in warm shallow waters near sandy and reefy areas between the depths of 3-90 m.
The boomerang triggerfish named so because of its boomerang shaped markings just behind the eye can grow up to a maximum length of about 25 cm. These markings are known to change in colour depending on the mood of the fish and may range from yellow to brown. However, the background colour of the fish is brownish, however they are known to change to a darker colour. There is also a single white tripe that extends form the base of the mouth to the belly.
Their diet consists of feeding on algae, molluscs, starfish while sometimes they feed on algae and planktonic matter as well.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Balistoides conspicillum )
Commonly spotted along external reef slopes at depths as deep as 75 cm.
The stand out clown triggerfish can grow up to about 50 cm in length while displaying a bulky and oval shape. These beautiful fish exhibit have a background black colour, the lower half of the body has big white circular spots. The region around the fin on the top of their body is yellow pattern that is on sort of a leopard pattern. Around their mouth, there is a yellow ring which is followed by white ring pattern there is also a white stripe on their snout just below their eyes. Their tail is white with a yellow colouring at the base and a black outline on the tail.
They have been recorded to have a varying diet but mainly includes molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans.
Vardhan Patankar
Phalguni Ranjan
( Odonus niger )
Found in and around coral reefs along slopes and areas where there are strong currents between the depths of 5-40m.
The red-toothed trigger fish are typically purple in colour and have bluish-green markings on their heads. To add to this, they exhibit a lighter blue colour on the end of their tails and fins as well. Like the rest of the triggerfish, they have an almost U-shaped tail. They are named after their thin and sharp red coloured teeth and you can even see them when their mouth is closed! As juveniles they have a brownish colour with blushish markings on the body and blue spots on their fins like pictured here. They are known to fom large schools or groups as well.
They feed on various planktonic organisms and sponges.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Balistoides viridescens )
Found in lagoons and reefs at depths of 50 m.
The Titan triggerfish reaching up to about 75 cm in length and as it names suggests are one of the largest species of triggerfish. Each individual may slightly vary in precise colouring. However, generally they have a yellowish coloured body with each scale having a dark centre which gives them a dotted in black look. They have a dark patch with yellow spots that go over the eyes and extend to the fins on their side. These fish can sometimes be aggresive and attack when guarding their nest or young.
They have a variable diet, feeding on sea urchins, coral, crabs and crustaceans.
Vardhan Patankar
( Acreichthys tomentosus )
Found in shallow coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems at depths between 1-15 m.
A quite small fish, reaching up to a maximum length of about 12 cm, they have the ability of changing colour and texture quickly to camouflage themselves from predators. However, their base colour is brownish-yellow with a spotted-blotchy like pattern.
They feed on polychaete worms and molluscs.