Grey triggerfish

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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.

 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.

 Related pages 

 Onchopristis
 Balistomorphus
 List of prehistoric bony fish genera

 References 

 "Gray Triggerfish". NOAA Fisheries.

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 Other websites 

 Photos of Grey triggerfish on Sealife Collection
 Media related to Grey triggerfish at Wikimedia Commons

Category:IUCN Red List vulnerable species
Category:Balistes