triggerfish

American  

[trig-er-fish] / ˈtrɪg ərˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

triggerfish,

plural

triggerfishes

1. any of various compressed, deep-bodied fishes of the genus Balistes and allied genera, chiefly inhabiting tropical seas, having an anterior dorsal fin with three stout spines: some are edible while others are poisonous.

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triggerfish British  

/ ˈtrɪɡəˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any plectognath fish of the family Balistidae , of tropical and temperate seas. They have a compressed body with erectile spines in the first dorsal fin

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Etymology

Origin of triggerfish

First recorded in 1880–85; trigger + fish

Example Sentences

Expedition divers observed an unusually large school of exotically-colored triggerfish in eastern Cuba, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant corals along the ocean floor near the densely-developed tourist destination of Varadero.

From Reuters • Sep. 1, 2023

Rhyne’s research lab — which includes breeding toothy queen triggerfish and red-striped yasha gobies— has been working to share his research with breeders as well.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2022

Eventually, it was determined the animal was likely a triggerfish.

From Fox News • Aug. 5, 2021

In addition to sharks darting about, there are colorful clown triggerfish, emperor angelfish, guinea fowl puffers and more than 3,000 pieces of coral.

From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2020

Cavorting around the Nautilus was a school of triggerfish with flat bodies, grainy skins, armed with stings on their dorsal fins, and with four prickly rows of quills quivering on both sides of their tails.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.