Lagoon triggerfish

The lagoon triggerfish, also called the black bar triggerfish, Picasso triggerfish, or Picassofish is an Indo-Pacific reef-dwelling triggerfish that may grow to a length of 30 cm.

The lagoon triggerfish inhabit coral reefs and their sandy surrounds, where they feed on a variety of organisms, primarily invertebrates and reef algae. They constantly move about restlessly and fiercely defend their territory from outsiders, including divers, particularly when guarding their eggs during the breeding season. They are significantly less harmful than the larger titan triggerfish in the same family due to their comparatively tiny size.

The fish may move more precisely through the water by using its dorsal and anal fins to make wave motions. It may move forward, backward, or just hover above the reef using these motions. This implies that compared to other unidirectional fish, it can back out of crevices more readily. Both sexes protect territories, and some do so for eight years or more. The usual male mating system is classified as haremic, although little is known about it. A typical male territory may overlap with one to five female territories. A new fish quickly takes over a male or female's territory if it is removed or gone. Over the course of their existence, they procreate frequently.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Family: Balistidae