Species profile
Grey Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
Identify Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Florida); the most generous is 20 (Texas).
Across 4 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 15.6 in (≈ 1 ft 4 in).
Confirmed by 518 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Reaches up to 60 cm (24 inches) long and can weigh over 13 lbs.
- Their fused, powerful teeth can crack open sea urchins, crabs, and hard-shelled mollusks.
- A first dorsal spine locks erect for defense; a 'trigger' second spine releases it.
- Females excavate shallow sandy nests and aggressively guard eggs against any approaching intruder.
- Prized as table fare with firm white flesh, especially popular in Gulf Coast fisheries.
Where Grey Triggerfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Grey Triggerfish
Background
The grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is a ray-finned fish in the triggerfish family. The species is native to shallow parts of the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina and also the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and off Angola on the west coast of Africa.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Grey Triggerfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Grey Triggerfish?
Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Grey Triggerfish?
Grey Triggerfish is Balistes capriscus.
Is Grey Triggerfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Grey Triggerfish has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Grey Triggerfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Grey Triggerfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.