Picasso triggerfish

Photo: Kim Nesbitt · CC BY-NC

One of the most visually distinctive reef fish in the Pacific, with bold geometric markings that appear to have been hand-drawn. Triggerfish are highly territorial during nesting and will aggressively defend a conical nest on the sandy substrate against anything, including divers. Their large, powerful beak-like teeth can crack hard-shelled invertebrates and coral rubble.