Gilded Triggerfish

Xanthichthys auromarginatus

The gilded triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus), also known as the blue-throat triggerfish, is a species in the family Balistidae. Adults reach up to 30 cm with a spotted brownish-gray body sometimes showing a bluish or lavender tint. Males develop a distinctive bright blue chin and throat, and the tail has golden-yellow margins. This species inhabits steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs at depths of 10-150 meters across the Indo-Pacific. Unlike most triggerfish, gilded triggerfish are planktivorous, feeding on zooplankton in the water column above the reef. They are relatively shy and non-aggressive, quite different from the territorial behavior typical of most triggerfishes. Their preference for deeper outer reef habitats means they are less commonly encountered than shallow-water triggerfish species, making them a special find for experienced divers.