Clown triggerfish

Photo: Jane Kempler & Andrew Goldby Freelance · CC BY-NC-ND

One of the most boldly patterned reef fish, the clown triggerfish is a solitary predator that uses its strong beak-like teeth to crunch through urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans. It is territorial during breeding, when it guards a nest excavated in the sand or rubble, and will aggressively charge divers who venture too close. Bangka's healthy hard coral reefs support high densities of invertebrate prey, making it particularly common here compared to more heavily fished reefs.