Plectognathi: fishes of the order Tetraodontiformes

Tetraodontiform fishes are highly derived teleosts including the Triggerfishes (Balistidae), the Filefishes (Monacantidae), the Porcupinefishes (Diodontidae), the Boxfishes (Ostraciidae), and the Pufferfishes (Tertraondontidae) among those commonly found in shallow water (depth < 40m). Their jaws are modified into beak-like structures appearing to have a limited number teeth. Many species are poisonous.

Courting male Bluegill Triggerfish
Male Bluegill Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) with an erect spinous dorsal fin photographed under water off Maui, Hawaii, USA. He was circling above his prepared spawning area suggesting that this is a courtship display.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Bluegill Triggerfish Bluethroat Triggerfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Fish Gilded Triggerfish Infraclass Teleostei Molokini Crater dive site Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate Xanthichthys auromarginatus aquarium aquatic biosphere chordate colorful coral coral reef deep dive diving dorsal fin spine exotic geological formation in situ life male marine natural elevation naturalworld ocean reef reproduction ridge saltwater scuba sea snorkeling swimming travel tropical underwater vacation water wildlife winter
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa or Lagoon Triggerfish
The Hawaii state fish, Humuhumunukunukuapuaa or Lagoon Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) off Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Humuhumunukunukapuaa Infraclass Teleostei Lagoon Triggerfish Maui Maui County Maui dive site Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Rhinecanthus aculeatus Roger's Backyard Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild winter
Lei Triggerfish
This Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa) with partially erected dorsal fin spines was photographed underwater just offshore of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, USA. It is circling above a small area suggesting that this is a courtship display.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Fish Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Lei Triggerfish Maui Maui County Maui dive site Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Roger's Backyard Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Sufflamen bursa Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate aquarium aquatic biosphere chordate colorful coral coral reef deep dive diving exotic in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature ocean reef reproduction ridge saltwater scuba sea snorkeling swimming tourism travel tropical underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto vacation water wild wildlife winter
Thornback Cowfish courtship
Thornback Cowfish (Lactoria fornasini) courting just offshore of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Lactoria fornasini Maui Maui County Maui dive site Neopterygii Ostraciidae Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Roger's Backyard Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Thornback Cowfish United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate courtship in situ naturalworld reproduction spawning behavior underwater winter
Scrawled Filefish
Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus) photgraphed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Aluterus scriptus Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Lone Tree Arch Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Scrawled Filefish Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ naturalworld underwater winter
Spotted Puffer
Spotted Puffer (Arotron meleagris) lurking by an overhanging rocky reef formed of lava off Kona, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Arothron meleagris Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Lone Tree Arch Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spotted Puffer Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontidae Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild winter
Finescaled Triggerfish
Finescaled Triggerfish (Balistes polylepis)
Actinopterygii Balistes polylepis Balistidae Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Finescaled Triggerfish Hawaii Hawaii Island Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes The Big Island United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Pinktail Durgon
Pinktail Durgon (Melichthys vidua) that was photographed underwater while scuba diving the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA during the summer.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Hawaii Island Infraclass Teleostei Kona Coast Melichthys vidua Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pinktail Durgon Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Summer Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes The Big Island United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Giant Porcupinefish
Lurking Giant Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix).
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Diodon hystrix Diodontidae Giant Porcupinefish Infraclass Teleostei Kauai Island Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Yellowtail Filefish
Yellowtail Filefish (Pervagor aspricaudus) at Kauai, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Kauai Island Monacanthidae Neopterygii Pervagor aspricaudus Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate Yellowtail Filefish biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Male Spotted Boxfish
A colorful male Spotted Boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) foraging near turf algae.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish Infraclass Teleostei Kauai Island Kauai dive site Sheraton Caverns Neopterygii Ostraciidae Ostracion meleagris Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spotted Boxfish Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Scrawled Filefish close-up portrait
Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus) close-up portrait taken underwater while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii island.
Actinopterygii Aluterus scriptus California Chordata Class Actinopterygii Disneyland Infraclass Teleostei Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Scrawled Filefish Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Lei Triggerfish with errect spiny dorsal fin
Portrait of a Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa) with errect spiny dorsal fin taken while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island during the spring.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Golden Arches Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Lei Triggerfish Neopterygii Pacificstock RF Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Sufflamen bursa Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Crown Toby portrait
Crown Toby (Canthigaster coronata) portrait taken while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Canthigaster coronata Chordata Class Actinopterygii Crown Toby Golden Arches Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontidae Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Scrawled Filefish
Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus) photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Aluterus scriptus Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Scrawled Filefish Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Black Durgon
Black Durgon (Melichthys niger) off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island during the spring.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Black Durgon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Melichthys niger Neopterygii Pacificstock RF Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Black Durgon
Black Durgon (Melichthys niger) aggregated near the surface off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Black Durgon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Golden Arches Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Melichthys niger Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Barred Filefish
Barred Filefish (Cantherhines dumerilii) off Kona, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Barred Filefish Cantherines dumerilii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Turtle Haven Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Finescaled Triggerfish portrait
Finescaled Triggerfish (Balistes polylepis) portrait taken in front of a coral reef off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Balistes polylepis Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Finescaled Triggerfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Squaretail Filefish
Squaretail Filefish (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Big Island Cantherhines sandwichiensis Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Kona Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Squaretail Filefish Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
A Pinktail Durgon close-up
Close up of a Pinktail Durgon (Melichthys vidua) that was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Kona Melichthys vidua Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pinktail Durgon Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate fish portrait in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
A Pinktail Durgon
A Pinktail Durgon (Melichthys vidua) that was photographed under water while scuba diving Kona, Hawaii Island. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Kona Melichthys vidua Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pinktail Durgon Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate fish portrait in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Dappled Humu
A Reef Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangularis) swims over a rock and sand bottom under dappled light.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Humuhumunukunukapuaa Infraclass Teleostei Kahaluu KailuaKona Kona Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Reef Triggerfish Rhinecanthus rectangulus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature snorkeling underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Underwater view of a Scrawled Filefish at Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Aluterus scriptus Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Scrawled Filefish Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Whitespotted Toby ( Canthigaster jacator)
A Hawaiian endemic Whitespotted Toby ( Canthigaster jacator) hangining out next to a submarine lava wall of Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Canthigaster jactator Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby Hawaiian endemic Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontidae Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate endemic in situ marine life naturalworld nature pufferfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Bluegill Triggerfish spawning pair
Bluegill Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) spawning pair, male with an erect spinous dorsal fin photographed under water off Maui, Hawaii, USA. They were circling above a small sandy area suggesting that this is a courtship.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Blueeye Damselfish Bluegill Triggerfish Bluethroat Triggerfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Gilded Triggerfish Infraclass Teleostei Labroidei Molokini Crater dive site Neopterygii Perciformes Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Plectroglyphiododon johnsonianus Pomacentridae Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate Xanthichthys auromarginatus biosphere breeding colors breeding pair chordate courtship in situ marine life naturalworld nature nuptial coloration reproduction spawning spawning behavior spawning pair underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild winter
Black Durgon
Black Durgons (Melichthys niger) photographed under water while scuba diving at Molokini Crater, Maui Island, Hawaii. Aspect ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Black Durgon Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Melichthys niger Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving triggerfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Bluegill Triggerfish
Male Bluegill Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) at Molokini Crater near Maui Island, Hawaii. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Bluegill Triggerfish Bluethroat Triggerfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Gilded Triggerfish Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate Xanthichthys auromarginatus biosphere chordate in situ male behavior marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving triggerfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Bridled Triggerfish
Bridled Triggerfish (Sufflamen fraenatus) at Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Bridled Triggerfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Sufflamen fraenatus Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ male marine life naturalworld nature triggerfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish female
The Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) female is not as spectacularly colored as the male.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Ostraciidae Ostracion meleagris Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spotted Boxfish Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere boxfish chordate female in situ marine life naturalworld nature trunkfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Lei Triggerfish
A Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa) at Molokini Crater near Maui Island
, Hawaii. Aspect ratio = 1:2.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Lei Triggerfish Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Sufflamen bursa Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving triggerfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a; Lagoon Triggerfish
Underwater view of the Sate of Hawaii's unoffical fish, Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a, also known as the Lagoon Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) at Maui Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a Humuhumunukunukapuaa Infraclass Teleostei Lagoon Triggerfish Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Rhinecanthus aculeatus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature state fish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Pinktail Durgon
A Pinktail Durgon (Melichthys vidua) at Molokini Crater near Maui Island, Hawaii. Aspect ratio = 3:4.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Melichthys vidua Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pinktail Durgon Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a; Reef triggerfish
The Reef Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) is one of two species know as Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a in Hawaiian and is the State Fish
Actinopterygii Anthozoa Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Class Anthozoa Cnidaria Hawaii Hawaiian state fish Humuhumu nukunuku apuaa Humuhumunukunukapuaa Infraclass Teleostei Invertebrate Lobe Coral Neopterygii Order Scleractinia Phylum Chordata Phylum Cnidaria Picasso Triggerfish Plectognathi Porites lobata Poritidae Reef Triggerfish Rhinecanthus rectangulus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Hexacorallia Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate Zoantharia biosphere chordate cnidarian coelenterate in situ marine life naturalworld nature state fish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Spotted Boxfish
Underwater view of a male and a female Spotted Boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) at Maui Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Ostraciidae Ostracion meleagris Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Spotted Boxfish Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Hawaiian whitespotted toby (Canthigaster jactator)
A Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby (Canthigaster jactator) observed at Maui Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Canthigaster jactator Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby Hawaiian endemic Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontidae Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate endemic in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Barred Filefish
A Barred Filefish (Cantherhines dumerilii) over the sandy bottom inside Molokini Crater near Maui Island. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Barred Filefish Cantherines dumerilii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Monacanthidae Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
O opu hue, Spotted puffer (Arothon meleagris)
Underwater view of a Stripebelly Puffer at Maui Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Arothron hispidus Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Stripebelly Puffer Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontidae Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature pufferfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Humuhumu lei, Lei triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa)
Underwater view of a Lei Triggerfish postioned over an orange colored sponge at Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Balistidae Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Invertebrate Lei Triggerfish Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Plectognathi Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Sufflamen bursa Teleost Teleostei Tetraodontiformes United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature sponge triggerfish underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild