Sargassum triggerfish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Tetraodontiformes
Family:	Balistidae
Genus:	Xanthichthys
Species:	X. ringens
Binomial name
Xanthichthys ringens (Linnaeus, 1758)

Xanthichthys ringens, the Sargassum triggerfish, is a species of triggerfish from the Western Atlantic, ranging from North Carolina (USA) to Brazil.

Also known as the Redtail triggerfish, Xanthichthys ringens is often found in the Western Atlantic, ranging from South Carolina, through Gulf of Mexico to Lesser Antilles and Brazil. It lives in Tropical marine reefs at depths of 25 to 80 meters (82 to 262.5 ft). It generally reaching a size of 25 cm (9.8 in).

Xanthichthys ringens has three dorsal spines, 26–29 dorsal soft rays, and 23–27 anal soft rays. Its coloration includes three silvery-blue prominent diagonal grooves from below and behind mouth running nearly to gill opening, appearing as light brownish gray to a light blue with rows of dark spots on body. The caudal (tail) fin is pale with orange-red margins and a large orange-red crescent at the end of the tail.

Xanthichthys ringens inhabits seaward reef slopes, usually well below 30 m, where in some places they are among the most common fish, solitary or in small groups. Spawns in deep water young live among floating Sargassum, hence the name of Sargassum triggerfish. The fish feeds on crabs, shrimp, sea urchins and zooplankton.

Like other members of triggerfish, the sargassum triggerfish occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2008). "Xanthichthys ringens" in FishBase. December 2008 version.

• Photos of Xanthichthys ringens on Sealife Collection