Orangestripe Triggerfish, Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797)

Scientific name: Balistapus undulatus
Alternative name/s:
Orange-lined Triggerfish, Orangestriped Triggerfish, Red-lined Trigger-fish, Red-lined Triggerfish, Striped Trigger-fish, Striped Triggerfish, Vermiculated Triggerfish
Orangestripe Triggerfish Click to enlarge image
An Orangestripe Triggerfish at a depth of 17m, "Steve's Bommie", Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, December 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Balistapus
    Species
    undulatus
    Family
    Balistidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Introduction

The Orangestripe Triggerfish is dark green, brown or greyish with diagonal orange to yellow lines on the body. There is a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle. The species occurs near coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Orangestripe Triggerfish can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It is dark green, brown or greyish with diagonal orange to yellow lines on the body. There is a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle.

Habitat

The species is found on coral reefs.

Distribution

The Orangestripe Triggerfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

It eats a wide range of food items. This includes live coral, algae, sea urchins, crabs, molluscs and other invertebrate groups as well a fishes and tunicates.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.