Top 10 Most Beautiful Triggerfish

The trigger fish is named after its appearance that resembles a cannonball. It is a cute star in the ocean world and is very suitable for breeding. It is not demanding on water quality. So, which species of trigger fish look more charming? Today, I have specially sorted out the top ten most attractive trigger fish, including clown trigger fish, mandarin duck trigger fish, queen trigger fish, blue-faced trigger fish, triangle trigger fish, Titan trigger fish, devil trigger fish, twill trigger fish, etc. Let's enjoy them together!

1. Clown trigger fish

The spotted pufferfish, commonly known as the clown trigger fish, is one of the most popular trigger fish. It has attracted much attention for its gorgeous colors and has always been regarded as a high-value ornamental fish. This special fish has a colorful body, one of the main features of which is a bright yellow saddle on the upper part of the body. The yellow spots of adults are dotted with many brown spots, while juveniles do not have this feature. In addition, the lower body of adults is covered with many large white spots, and there is a wide bright yellow horizontal band at the tail. These characteristics of the clown cannonball make them lively and lively when swimming in the water, just like a round cannonball, which makes people laugh.

Despite their funny and cute appearance, the clown cannonball is actually one of the most ferocious fish in the ocean, so you need to be extra careful when choosing a companion to keep it with. Tend to choose those equally ferocious and larger fish as suitable companions to maintain peace and stability in the aquarium.

2. Mandarin duck cannonball

Mandarin duck cannonball, also known as Picasso cannonball, is known as one of the most charming cannonball fish. As a representative of the triggerfish family, the mandarin duck triggerfish has a long history in the field of ornamental fish farming. In the trade, most adult mandarin duck triggerfish are caught in the South my country Sea, while some juveniles come from the Philippines. The oblique patterns on these fish are extremely colorful, just like the beautiful patterns of mandarin ducks, hence the name.

The sub-adults are covered with complex and charming patterns. These patterns are intricate, like the abstract paintings that artist Picasso splashed on the canvas, which is why they are called "Picasso fish".

3. Queen triggerfish

Queen triggerfish, scientifically known as Trichodina, belongs to the family Trichodinae in tropical marine fish. This fish is distributed from the Atlantic Caribbean Sea to the coast of West Africa and is famous for its beautiful blue patterns and gorgeous swimming style. Their tail fins present a wide crescent shape, and the tail filaments at the end can be pulled very thin and long. The body length can reach more than 60 cm, which is a large marine ornamental fish.

It is worth mentioning that the Queen Cannonball is not common in the domestic aquarium market. Only in some public aquariums will its adult fish be displayed, which also causes its scarcity. In addition, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Queen Cannonball as a vulnerable conservation animal, and its protection has attracted widespread attention.

4. Blue-faced Cannonball

The golden-edged yellow-scaled pufferfish, commonly known as the blue-faced cannonball, is a species of cannonfish family with considerable ornamental value. This species of cannonfish is mainly distributed in the Indo-Pacific waters and usually moves around coral reefs. However, in coastal areas of Asia, blue-faced cannonballs are rarely seen in trade.

In a suitable breeding environment, the blue-faced cannonball shows a charming appearance. When the nitrate concentration in the water is less than 50ppm, the metallic blue on the fish will bloom all over, showing a unique brilliance. However, if the water quality is poor, this blue will gradually fade, and the fish's face will gradually lose its original blue luster.

5. Triangular cannonball

The oblique-banded pufferfish is also known as the black-banded file-scale pufferfish, the oblique-banded triggerfish, and the wedge-tailed cannonball, and is nicknamed the triangular cannonball. The body length of this fish can reach up to about 30 cm, with a slightly elongated, oblong body shape, two similar dorsal fins on the back, and four to five rows of small spines on the tail peduncle. Its back is brown and its belly is white. A black band runs from the eye to the gill slits, extending to the base of the pectoral fins, then bends back and widens until it covers the anus and the front half of the base of the anal fins. 

There is also a golden line on the upper edge of this black band, which adds a bright spot to its appearance. Due to its charming appearance, the oblique-banded pufferfish is often kept in aquariums for people to appreciate.

6. Titan Cannonball

Titan Cannonball, also known as the brown pufferfish, is a famous triggerfish. It is huge and unique among the triggerfish family. It is mainly distributed in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It especially likes to live in areas with rich reefs. It feeds on small prey and nibbles organic matter on the reefs. The Titan Cannonball got its name from its huge size and powerful strength among the triggerfish group. It is reported that it is also one of the most frequent cannonballs that attack humans in the natural environment.

If you have an aquarium suitable for raising large ornamental fish such as sharks and humphead wrasse, then considering introducing Titan cannonballs is also a good choice.

7. Devil Cannonball

Red tooth triggerfish, commonly known as the devil cannonball, although the name contains the word "devil", is actually the most gentle among many triggerfish. Their bodies are often black or dark blue, with a huge crescent-shaped tail. When swimming, the dorsal fins and anal fins swing like bats spreading their wings. The unique appearance is matched with a mouthful of bright red fangs, forming a vampire-like appearance. However, unlike the ferocious image shown by its appearance, the devil cannonball rarely bullies other fish, and rarely preys on small fish as food. 

It is more friendly to corals and usually does not chew corals randomly to cause damage. This gentle temperament makes it a popular trigger fish, suitable for coexisting with many kinds of fish without conflict.

8. Yellow-striped trigger fish

The oblique-striped trigger fish, also known as the yellow-striped trigger fish, is mainly distributed in the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is a larger trigger fish, with a maximum body length of 30 cm in the aquarium. The body of this trigger fish presents a fascinating emerald green color with orange-yellow horizontal stripes. It looks very cute and gentle, and is more pleasing than other trigger fish. However, despite its charming appearance, the yellow-striped trigger fish is actually ferocious.

When raising yellow-striped trigger fish in an aquarium, it is best to provide some rocks and caves, because they like to rearrange stones, showing a unique behavior. Sometimes, they make a sound similar to "cooing", adding some mysterious fun.

9. Glass Cannonball

Pink-tailed Cannonball, also known as glass cannonball, belongs to the cannonball fish species in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This type of cannonball fish is generally about 30 to 40 cm long and oval in shape; the body is gray-black, and the eyes are located above the head; the dorsal fin is divided into two, the first dorsal fin is black and can be bent freely, while the second dorsal fin is silver-white with a black edge. 

The dorsal fin also has a black edge, and there is a ring of silver-white stripes on the caudal peduncle, and the caudal fin is pink. The overall appearance presents a stunning emerald green body and a bright pink tail, which is irresistible to its lovely charm.

10. Indian Cannonball

The Indian horn triggerfish, commonly known as the Indian Cannonball, is a highly regarded species in the aquarium world, with a maximum body length of 30 cm. Its body is oval and slightly black, but when it is close to and turned on with a light source, it will reveal a brown or green-brown appearance. Its eyes are decorated with dark blue stripes, and the dorsal and ventral fins are connected to the body with white lines, which is very ornamental.

Warm Tips: If the aquarium space is small, this fish will behave more fiercely and it will be difficult to get along with fish of the same family. However, if a sufficiently spacious aquarium is provided with abundant rock structures and caves, it may coexist harmoniously with other fierce fish. But never put it in a coral tank, because it may damage corals and prey on ornamental shrimps and crabs.

animal tags： trigger-fish