Golden Heart Triggerfish

Golden Heart Triggerfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Balistes punctatus  

Overview
Reef Compatible: NO
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Africa

Balistes punctatus, also known as the bluespotted triggerfish or simply spotted triggerfish, is a species of triggerfish found in the Eastern Atlantic. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. While it can grow up to a size of 60 centimeters (24 inches) in total length, it typically remains much smaller.

In aquariums, the bluespotted triggerfish is known to be naturally aggressive and curious. It’s essential to keep it in a large tank if other specimens from the same family are present to avoid aggressive behavior. Interestingly, another common name for this fish is the Golden Heart Triggerfish.

As for its diet, the bluespotted triggerfish is a carnivore, consuming a variety of foods including crustaceans, bivalves, echinoderms, fishes, sponges, tunicates, mollusks, hydrozoans, and benthic organisms.

In the wild, you’ll find the bluespotted triggerfish occurring in the Eastern Atlantic, ranging from Morocco to Angola, including Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. Keep an eye out for this striking fish if you ever explore those waters!