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triggerfish Definition

trigger·fish (trig′ər fis̸h′)

noun pl. -·fish′, -·fish′es

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

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

triggerfish Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • see: Dr. Collins said, 'We are certainly seeing smaller triggerfish, down to about 15cm across.
  • catch: Clinton Downes from the Guernsey Fishermen's Trading Company told me that another crab potter caught 4 Triggerfish earlier in the week.
  • find: Tony Davis found 13 dead Triggerfish scattered along the strandline at Perranporth, Cornwall.

Adjective modifier

  • dead: I've been picking up dead Triggerfish up off the beach in Cornwall since 1991.
  • large: Marine life encountered on the reef includes large triggerfish, kingfish and wrasse.

Modifies a noun

  • tang: Squid triggerfish tangs passed us on great coral reefs.

Noun used with modifier

  • squid: Squid triggerfish tangs passed us on great coral reefs.
  • titan: On top of the reef titan triggerfish may be seen biting and moving dead coral to build nests in which to lay their eggs.