Halfmoon Triggerfish

Juveniles dark brown above, white below (Ref. 1602). Adult variable in color; the bar running through the pectoral base can either be yellow or black, and some individuals may be largely yellowish posteriorly (Ref. 1602).Description: Characterized further by longitudinal scale rows 41-47; presence of deep groove in front of eye; nearly straight dorsal and ventral head profiles; body with series of longitudinal ridges bearing small spiny tubercles, ridges extending forward to below middle of second dorsal fin; truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).

Male defends a defined territory, within which a female resides. On the day prior to spawning, female pushes her snout into the sandy bottom repeatedly and removes small stones and pieces of coral at several sites. Adhesive eggs are deposited on the sandy bottoms or in a small cavity of the reef covered with sand. Female fans the eggs and defends the nest, while male patrols around female (Ref. 8603). Females are territorial, solely tending and guarding the eggs (Ref. 116451). Males exhibit polygyny (Ref. 116451).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 23 - 26

Occurs in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary and territorial. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates (Ref. 1602).

Inhabit coastal to outer reefs. Habitats from silty lagoons to pristine outer reef walls (Ref. 48637). Occur in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary and territorial. Feed on a wide variety of invertebrates. Also taken by drive-in nets (Ref. 9770). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Monogamous (Ref. 52884).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起非洲東岸，東至薩摩亞，北至日本南部，南至羅得豪島。台灣各地均有分布。

通常以陷阱法、潛水或流刺網捕獲，以生鮮或醃製於市場出售，或以其可愛的模樣而常被飼養於水族館中，供人欣賞。

體稍延長，呈長橢圓形， 尾柄短。口端位，齒白具缺刻。眼前有一深溝。頰部被鱗；鰓裂後有大型骨質鱗片。尾柄鱗片具小棘列，且向前延伸至身體中央，第一背鰭下方。背鰭兩個，基底相接近，第一背鰭位於鰓孔上方，第I棘粗大，第II棘則細長，第III背鰭棘明顯；背鰭及臀鰭軟條截平；尾鰭弧形。體褐色；喉與腹部淺藍色，頰部有一短白線。第一背鰭褐色；第二背鰭、臀鰭與胸鰭淡紅而透明；尾鰭深棕色，後緣有一寬白帶。

主要棲息於淺潟湖區及向海礁區，一般被發現於水深30公尺內的水域。以各種無脊椎動物為食。

The halfmoon triggerfish, Sufflamen chrysopterum, is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-West Pacific area.

The halfmoon triggerfish lives around seaward reefs and shallow lagoons. It is solitary and is often found around coral looking for small invertebrates, like crustaceans and worms, on which it feeds.

The halfmoon picassofish species is often also named halfmoon triggerfish.

The halfmoon triggerfish is a solitary fish.