Triggerfishes acquired their common name from the locking mechanism found in their dorsal spine. This fin is normally carried in a groove but can be locked into an erect position to prevent the fish from being eaten or pulled from a crevice in which it has taken refuge. Patterning around mouth is typically exaggerated, probably to deter rivals or predators. Triggers have strong, protrusive, chisel-like teeth adapted for crunching through hard parts of invertebrates such as crabs, mollusks, and sea urchins. Filefishes differ from Triggers in that they have one elongated dorsal spine that cannot be locked into position. Files’ bodies are more laterally compressed bodies and their scales are not as pronounced. Species in this family are shy and secretive, hiding among plants and corals and sometimes hanging vertically in the water column to further camouflage themselves.

Aquarium Care & Feeding Filefishes have a shy temperament and make good additions to a community tank. Triggers’ behavior can range from peaceful to extremely aggressive, depending on the species. Provide plenty of hiding places (aquascaping) for these fishes and do not introduce them to a tank containing invertebrates. Some Filefishes are considered “reef safe,” but the fact that these fishes usually feed on polyps and algae in the wild might cause problems in a reef aquarium until they accept alternative foods. Once acclimatized to the aquarium environment, Triggers and Files well eat nearly anything that is offered, including formulated flakes and pellets as well as frozen meaty items.