Скачать или смотреть First Documentation of Titan Triggerfish Guarding Eggs on a Remote Camera (Nusa Penida)

Species: Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens)
Location: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Depth: ~5m
Date: 24th April 2025
Filmed by: ‪@barnydillarstone‬
Observed Behaviours: Guarding nest, fanning eggs, aggressive territorial displays toward intruders
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

The titan triggerfish is the largest species of triggerfish in the Indo-Pacific, known for its striking coloration, powerful jaws, and highly territorial behaviour. During the breeding season, females excavate a shallow nest on sandy reef slopes and lay hundreds of eggs. Both parents, but particularly the female, aggressively guard the nest, fanning the eggs to oxygenate them and chasing away any perceived threats — from small reef fish to much larger intruders, including divers.

This footage captures the nesting behaviour of titan triggerfish on the reefs of Bali, providing a close look at parental care and the extraordinary lengths reef fish go to protect their offspring. Their bold defensive strategies are an important part of coral reef ecology, influencing the distribution and behaviour of many other reef species.