Grey triggerfish

The grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) or leatherjacket, is a triggerfish in the genus Balistes that is found in 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.

Description

The grey triggerfish is primarily olive-gray. It has blue dots and lines on the body and dorsal fin. It has a laterally compressed body shaped like a large rugby ball.

The small beak at the tip of the snout has fleshy lips. The body, aside from being compressed, has a tough, leathery skin. It is also pale gray, greenish-gray, or yellowish-brown.

Distribution and habitat

As mentioned earlier, the grey triggerfish is in the western Atlantic Ocean. It can be found over hard bottoms on reefs and rocky areas, in lagoons and in bays, at depths down to about 55 m (180 ft). Once considered to be an uncommon visitor to northern European seas, an increase in records around the coast of Cornwall say it is now breeding there.

School of grey triggerfish on the Berlengas archipelago, Portugal

Recreational fishing

People in Florida and elsewhere love going fishing for grey triggerfish. It is also notorious for being a bait stealer. It is also associated with black sea bass and red snapper. Its mouth is bony, so to catch it, you'll need a small sharp hook that is baited with squid or cut bait.