Nature Field Guide
Blunthead Triggerfish
- Spanish name
- Chancho fisgón
- Scientific name
- Pseudobalistes naufragium
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “Can you see the little white gill opening?”
Tati: “Yes. That and its blunt head are useful clues.”
Species overview
About the Blunthead Triggerfish
Blue-gray to brown-gray coloring and faint alternating bars cover a thick body. The small white gill opening is a useful clue, as is the blunt head.
It uses rocky reefs and nearby rubble. Triggerfish have a locking first dorsal spine. Body shape and the gill mark help separate this species from the orangeside triggerfish.
Identification
Key Features of the Blunthead Triggerfish
Thick gray body
Pale white gill slit
Faint bars and blunt head
Habitat & range
Pacific rocky reefs and nearby coastal marine habitats. Check the linked species reference for its wider range.
Local observations
Recorded at Cabo Blanco.
When to observe
Visibility depends on water clarity, currents, depth and conditions. No fixed local viewing or migration season is assigned.
Conservation & care
Keep clear of tail-base structures and strong jaws. Observe with a qualified guide. Do not feed, chase or handle fish. Keep fins off the reef and take all litter home.
Threats & pressures
Habitat damage and degraded water quality are pressures to prevent in coastal fish habitats. This profile does not quantify a local decline.
Observation activity
Compare two triggerfish photographs. Record the gill-opening color and tail shape.
Explore by location
Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · South Pacific · Ocean & Coastal Life