The quirky triggerfishes LE BALISTE STRIÉ (’Ō’IRI TAHORA À TUBUAI) EST L’UN DES PLUS BEAUX DE CETTE FAMILLE. LE MÂLE SE DIFFÉRENCIE DE LA FEMELLE PAR L’ABSENCE DE STRIES SUR LE MUSEAU. THE STRIPED TRIGGERFISH (’Ō’IRI TAHORA IN TUBUAI) IS ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SPECIES IN THIS FAMILY. THE MALE IS EASILY DISTINGUISHED FROM THE FEMALE BY THE ABSENCES OF STRIPES ON ITS UPPER SNOUT. 82 THE BALISTIDAE OR TRIGGERFISHES ARE ANOTHER UNIQUE FAMILY OF FISHES, IN THE ORDER TETRAODONTIFORMES, AN EXAMPLE OF THE ASTONISHING VARIETY OF SEA LIFE TO BE FOUND HERE, IF ANY PROOF WERE NEEDED. PHOTOS  : PHILIPPE BACCHET These often brightly-colored, stripy fish are familiar to bathers, divers, but also fishermen, who sometimes eat them. They can be seen on all parts of the reef, milling about or looking for food and shelter. Aside from having scales that are placed side by side, not overlapping like other fish, the triggerfishes also have another striking feature, their modified dorsal fin. This has been reduced to three stout spines, makingup a trigger and lock mechanism ; an ingenious adaptation that allows them to block themselves into the hole or crevice where they are hiding. There’s no use trying to prize them out of there, it’s a waste of time. Most triggerfishes feed on hard-shelled crustaceans and mollusks, such as crabs and seashells, and have a fine set of teeth for the task. It is also their most effective « weapon », they do not hesitate to charge in and take a bite at any intruders encroaching on their nesting site. Any swimmer carelessly passing too close to a nest can been mistaken as a threat, and can tell you the story. The larger species, like the Titan or Giant triggerfish, dig sizeable craters on the ocean floor to house their eggs, and then fiercely defend them. Many a foolish diver has learnt R:R TRI-I.T  : this lesson the hard way ! The triggerfishes are sometimes called « excavator-earthmovers » because of their spectacular ability to cause damage. First of all, they get right in there breakingup the coral, to make it easier for them to look for prey or while building their « nest ». But, these fish are also the bane of pearlfarmowners, greedily devouring their precious cultured black lip pearloysters if they get the chance. These guys are real characters ! Eighteen species of triggerfish occur in our waters, from the Marquesas to Rapa, but none of these are endemic to the region. Among them, three species are particularly striking, being both multi-colored, and preferring the shallow waters of our lagoons (they are the Picasso or Whitebanded triggerfish, Halfmoon picassofish and Reef triggerfish). Aside from their catchy stripes and geometric patterns, their quirky behavior also attracts attention, they are both curious and timid, and are often the first to get hooked on aspiring fishermen’s lines. Finally, it is worth mentioning that triggerfish meat may be a gourmet delicacy sought after by many foodies and fishermen in the islands. The latter know all the secrets needed for catching and preparing them.