Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

3.3.11.2 Balistidae (Trigger fishes and Durgons)

 

• Deep and moderately compressed body with very thick, tough skin.
• Scales above pectoral fin base form a tympanum.
• Two dorsal fins; first is with 3 spines only. Second dorsal is with fin-rays branched.
• Three dorsal fin spines, the second spine more than one-half the length of the first, the first spine capable of being locked in an upright position of erection by the second.
• Pelvic fins and spines rudimentary or absent, represented by a series of 4 pairs of enlarged scales encasing the end of pelvis.

Eg. Odonus niger, Balistoides viridescens

 

Similar Families

Monacanthidae - Two dorsal fin spines; first large and prominent.

Ostracidae - No spiny dorsal fin; body covered with a box-like encasement.

Tetraodontidae - No spiny dorsal fin; No pelvic fin; teeth fused with the jaw bones to Diodontidae/ form a parrot like beak.

Triodontidae/Molidae - Skin rough with scales/modified as prickles/absent/smooth.

Triacanthidae/ - Dorsal fin spines 2 to 6.

Triacanthodidae - A strong pair of pelvic fin spines.