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triggerfish

(trig′ər fis̸h′)

any of various brightly colored tropical fishes (family Balistidae) of the same order (Tetraodontiformes) as puffers, having a prominent first dorsal fin with two or three spines

Origin: because depression of the second spine of the fin causes the first to snap down

See triggerfish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. triggerfish triggerfish or trig·ger·fish·es

Any of various brightly colored fishes of the family Balistidae of warm coastal waters, having a roundish body and an erectile spine on the anterior dorsal fin that locks upright when the fish is threatened.

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