![]() “Gray triggerfish in North Carolina can grow to 30 inches in length and weigh up to 13 pounds, while queen triggerfish grow to maximum lengths of about 24 inches, and up to 12 pounds. Whereas grays have a drab coloration, queen triggerfish have a beautiful, rainbow spectrum along their bodies and fins. There is no mistaking the two. Gray triggerfish are easy to distinguish from queen triggerfish. Unlike their cousin, the filefish, which are commonly confused with triggerfish, triggerfish have more than one dorsal spine. “Both the gray and queen triggerfish have large, sharp teeth, and a deep, laterally compressed body covered with tough sandpaper-like skin,” said Seward. Juveniles also have saddle markings, and light spots on their dorsal, or top, and anal fins, he said. Juvenile triggerfish appear yellowish with violet dots that are usually small but can also have irregular dark patches that can be significantly large on their fins and body. “Adult gray triggerfish can change their color, especially during the spawning season that usually begins in April and will continue through August of each year. Males turn dark charcoal gray, while females who are actively nesting’s colors will be highly variable with contrasting white and black color patterns,” said Seward. Easy to identifyĪdult gray triggerfish are mainly olive-gray in color and have blue spots and lines on the upper body and dorsal fin, and the upper part of their eyes are blue. I have observed this species as primarily a light- to medium-gray in color while scuba diving. ![]() Learn more and watch digital shorts and climate portraits.īoth triggerfish species have various nicknames depending upon where they are caught, including taly, leatherjacket, leatherneck, or just plain triggerfish. PBS North Carolina’s State of Change initiative examines the impact of climate change on coastal and inland communities across the state and how communities and individuals have responded with innovative solutions. “Both species live on ocean hard bottoms, reefs and ledges, on shipwrecks, nearshore, and offshore locations, either alone or in small groups, or schools,” said McLean Seward, fisheries biologist with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. In North Carolina, the state records are 11 pounds 6 ounces for a gray triggerfish caught off the coast of Morehead City in 1992, and 10 pounds 11 ounces for a queen triggerfish caught in 2012 off Jacksonville. Queen triggerfish are the second member of this group caught off the North Carolina coast, but are less frequently encountered by fisherman. They live in depths between 7 and 92 feet in the Caribbean, Bahamas, the Atlantic from Canada to Florida, Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico, but are more typically caught at depths between 10 and 98 feet. Gray triggerfish are the primary members of this species found in North Carolina waters. They range in the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Argentina. A second population can also be found in the Gulf of Mexico. Learn how you can be in the Sponsor Spotlight When you purchase a North Carolina Coastal Federation license plate, you help keep our coast healthy and beautiful. Recent Articles Ongoing study may show overlooked algal bloom causes Analysis: Farm Act axes motive to protect shoreline trees Analysis: Farm Act strips wetland safeguards, mitigation Beekeeping in North Carolina largely an amateur endeavor.Nutrients in the water: Too much of a good thing.NC Navigation and Federal Infrastructure Spending.End of the Road: Development on Remote Currituck Banks.Recent Articles Bring fishing gear to help you see what you’re looking at Ode to the Salt Marsh: Paddling the waters less traveled Newton’s 4th Law: Large fish can be caught on light gear A local call to save seagrass on World Oceans Day. ![]()
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