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Grey triggerfish (Lat. Balistes capriscus). It thrives above the rocky bottoms of coastlines, up to 100 m in depth. It is mostly solitary fish, but during the mating can be found in small groups. Grows to 60 cm (often around 40 cm), and 6.2 kg. The small beak-like mouth at the tip of the snout has fleshy lips. The body is laterally compressed and deep-bodied with a tough, leathery skin. Colour is predominantly pale grey, greenish-grey or yellowish-brown. Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as shrimps, starfish, sea urchins, crabs, mollusk, sea cucumbers, etc.. It has strong teeth specialised for making holes in hard-shelled prey. During the summer, the female burrows a nest in the sand. She cares for her eggs there, while the male guards the area, driving intruders away – even biting them when necessary.
Local name
Kostorog
English name
Grey triggerfish
Scientific name
Balistes capriscus
Did you know?
The flesh of grey triggerfish taste good and are mostly appreciated by all seafood lovers, but it can seldom cause ciguatera poisoning
Weight
Up to 6.2kg
Length
Up to 0.6m
Life span
13 years
Nutrition
Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates
Type of diet
Carnivorous
IUCN vulnerability status
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Distribution
It occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia (Canada), southeast to Bermuda, and south to Argentina, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico.

