| Grey triggerfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Balistidae |
| Genus: | Balistes |
| Species: | B. capriscus |
| Binomial name | |
| Balistes capriscus (Gmelin, 1789) |
|
The grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), a.k.a. (Balistes carolinensis), is a triggerfish of the western Atlantic, found from Nova Scotia to Argentina.
It is also reported from the Mediterranean sea and off Angola on the west coast of Africa. It has also been reported in the Gulf of Mexico in depths of 5-10 feet.
In its appearance and habits, the Gray Triggerfish is a typical member of the Balistes family except for its drab, uniformly gray coloration. It is a relatively small fish, usually less than 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds) in weight.
The Gray Triggerfish is a notorious bait stealer, found over hard bottom in 20 to 40 meter (60 to 120 foot) depths off the Atlantic Coast of Florida often in association with Black Sea Bass and Red Snapper.
Despite its tough skin, with a texture resembling concrete, it is an excellent food-fish, with firm, tasty white flesh, as served in the form of skinless, boneless fillets.